
Class -_1A1 > ^ \ 'b- 

Book __3^x 'b^ 

CopyrightN"* 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



A MANUAL FOR 



Aspirants for Commissions 



IN THK 



United States Army, 



IRA L. RKEVBS, 

First Lieutenant Fourth U. S. Infantry. 



1901, 
HUDSON-KlMBERI/Y PUBLISHING CO., 

Kansas City, Missouri. 



THE LIBRARY OF 

CONGRESS, 
Two Copies Received 

?^AR. 5 1901 

Copyright entry 

CLASS 0_XXc. Na 

COPY B. 






Copyrighted 1901, by 
HUDSON-KIMBERLY PUBLISHING CO. 

Kansas City, Mo. 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 

PREFACE 5 

CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY 7 

CHAPTER II. APPOINTMENTS FROM GRADUATES OP THE 

UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY 10 

Appointment and Admission of Cadets to the United States Mil- 
itary Academy 10 

Qualifications 13 

Character of Academical Examination 13 

Academic Duties 14 

Military Instruction 15 

Pay of Cadets IG 

Assignment to Corps after Graduation 16 

Notes 17 

CHAPTER III. PROMOTION OF ENLISTED MEN 18 

Qualifications Required of Applicants from the Army 18 

The Examination 19 

Candidates for Promotion 21 

CHAPTER IV. ENLISTING FOR A COMMISSION 24 

The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Different Arms 24 

Cavalry 24 

Artillery 25 

Infantry 25 

Battalion of Engineers , 26 

Hospital Corps 26 

A Bit of Advice to Aspirants 26 

Miscellaneous 28 

CHAPTER V. THE ENLISTED MEN OP THE REGULAR 

ARMY 30 

Requirements to Enter the Service 31 

Declaration of Recruit 34 

Consent in Case of Minor 35 

Oath of Enlistment 35 



CHAPTER VI. PROMOTIONS FROM CIVIL LIFE 39 

Applications— To Whom Made 39 

Examining- Boards— How Constituted 39 

Qualifications— Rules Governing the Examination 40 

Assig-nment to Regiment 41 

Expenses Incident to the Examination 42 

Notes 42 

CHAPTER VII. A SHORT TALK WITH NEWLY COMMIS- 
SIONED OFFICERS 43 

CHAPTER VIII. GRADES OF RANK OF OFFICERS AND 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS 4fi 

Relative Rank between Officers of the Army and Navy 47 

Pay and Allowances of Officers 48 

Pay and Allowances of Enlisted Men 51 

CHAPTER IX. A FEW WORDS FROM A SOLDIER'S DIC- 
TIONARY 55 

APPENDIX A. QUESTIONS ASKED CANDIDATES FOR AD- 
MISSION TO THE MILITARY ACADEMY AT A RECENT 

EXAMINATION 59 

APPENDIX B. LAW AUTHORIZING PROMOTION OP EN- 
LISTED MEN, AND LIST OF QUESTIONS ASKED AT A 

RECENT EXAMINATION 67 

APPENDIX C. QUESTIONS ASKED CANDIDATES FROM 

CIVIL LIFE AT A RECENT EXAMINATION 77 

APPENDIX D. COURSE OF STUDY AND BOOKS USED AT 
THE MILITARY ACADEMY. 



PREFACE. 

Someone has aptly said that, "Military glory consists in get- 
ting killed on the field of battle and then having your name 
misspelled in the newspapers." It is for the benefit for young 
men who are seeking just such glory that this little volume has 
been prepared. The author (or compiler, for this is but little 
more than a compilation of Army Regulations, etc.) has strived 
to give the very latest orders and laws pertaining to the ex- 
amination and appointment of candidates to the Army as sec- 
ond lieutenants. In a few original chapters he has assumed the 
fatherly role, and ventures words of advice and offers bits of 
information which it is hoped will be of benefit to the ambitious 
person who reads this volume and pursues his efforts to obtain 
a second lieutenancy in the best army in the world. 



CREDITS DUE. 

In compiling this little work the following have been heavily 
drawn from: 

United States Army Regulations. 

The Official Army Register. 

General Orders from the Adjutant-General's Office. 

Enlistment Papers, Recruiting Circular, etc. 

The Army Paymaster's Manual. 

The Official Register of Officers and Cadets of the United 
States Military Academy, West Point, New York, June 30, 1900, 
published by order of Colonel Mills, Superintendent of the Acad- 
emy, by First Lieutenant W. C. Rivers, First Cavalry, Adjutant 
U. S. M. A. Many whole paragraphs were appropriated from 
this little booklet, and nearly all of the information in Chapter 
II. and Appendix A was obtained from it. 



CHAPTER I. 

INTRODUCTORY. 

"For gold the merchant plows the main, 
The farmer plows the manor; 
But glory is the soldier's prize, 
The soldier's wealth is honor."— Burns. 

An Army officer has no sinecure. His life is not made up 
of full-dress balls, parades, revelry, gold-laced uniforms and 
big pay — the popular civilian idea of his daily pastime. The ex- 
ercise of command is the least onerous of his numerous duties. 
A young officer frequently finds himself recorder or member of 
a board of survey, judge-advocate or member of a general court- 
martial, acting as counsel for a military prisoner; he must take 
his turn as officer of the guard or officer of the day, attend 
numerous roll-calls, drills and exercises; he must keep himself 
"brushed up" on professional subjects, prepare essays, super- 
intend or actually perform the "paper work" of the company 
to which he belongs, conduct school for the non-commissione<i 
officers, and give his personal attention to divers other duties. 

The youth with intentions to enter the service for the emol- 
uments only had better change his mind and look up a more 
lucrative position. There are very few officers who save from 
their pay anything worth mentioning. Few officers by the time 
they reach the age for retirement have saved sufficient to buy 
themselves a comfortable home. True, the position is one that 
lasts during good behavior, health, and until reaching the age 
for retirement, and the pay is continually increasing. The de- 



A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

mands incident to increased rank readily consume the augmen- 
tation of the pay voucher. 

The chances for further promotion of officers just coming 
in as second lieutenants are fairly good. Under present condi- 
tions there will be no such rapid promotion as the past two 
years have given, but there are reasons to believe that advance- 
ment will be more rapid than it was previous to the Spanish- 
American War. It took from six to eight years to reach a first 
lieutenancy at that time. With an army the size that our pres- 
ent national policy will require, together with the hardships 
of tropical service, causing many retirements for physical dis- 
ability, the probabilities are that a second lieutenant will re- 
quire no longer than three or four years to reach the next higher 
grade. 

There are three ways by which an aspirant may obtain a 
commission as second lieutenant in the United States Army, 
viz. : First — By graduating from the Military Academy at West 
Point, Nev/ York. Second— Enlisting and taking the competi- 
tive examination from the ranks. Third — From civil life. 

The Cadet at the National Military Academy always has 
gentlemanly treatment, but the duties are extremely hard; the 
discipline is just, but severe; the course of study is very difficult 
for the time allotted to cover it; but the persevering young 
man v/ho passes from one class to the next higher till he finally 
graduates, usually joins his regiment an excellent officer. He 
does not, as a matter of fact, know it all when he joins, for a 
regular regiment differs as much from the corps of Cadets as a 
full-dress parade does from field service. He has the "cue," 
however, and soon catches on to the practical workings of the 
Army, A graduate of the Academy who is a "soldier born" un- 
doubtedly has an advantage over the officer who enters the Army 
by one of the other two roads. 



in the United States Army. 9 

Many excellent officers of our service have secured their 
commissions from the ranks. It is a good school, and no officer 
who has carried a musket as an enlisted man is any the worse 
for it. There is nothing degrading or menial about the duties 
of a soldier. He is not required to shine shoes or do similar 
service for the officers. When he does such service, he does it 
voluntarily, and receives extra pay for it from the officer for 
whom the v/ork is done. Of course he helps to do cooking and 
the "police" duties about the camp or barracks, and he cleans 
his own equipment and makes his own bed, but this training 
serves him well once that he becomes an officer. 

The Army has many officers who secured appointment from 
civil life, a great number of them having been volunteer officers 
during the Civil War. For fidelity, patriotism and intelligent 
service, no country could ask more than that rendered by this 
class of the officers of our Regular Army. 

An effort has been made in the follov/ing pages to give the 
latest laws and regulations governing the applications, examina- 
tions and appointment of candidates for commissions in the 
Army, together with other information which will probably be 
found useful by the aspirant. 



10 A Mmiual for Aspirants for Commissions 



CHAPTER II. 

APPOINTMENTS FROM GRADUATES OF THE UNITED 
STATES MILITARY ACADEMY. 

APPOINTMENT AND ADMISSION OF CADETS TO THE 
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY.— QUALIFICA- 
TIONS.— CHARACTER OF ACADEMICAL EXAMINATION. 
. —ACADEMIC DUTIES.— MILITARY INSTRUCTION.— PAY 
OF CADETS.— ASSIGNMENT TO CORPS AFTER GRADUA- 
TION.— NOTES. 

"I give it as my fixed opinion that, but for our graduated cadets, 
the war between the United States and Mexico might, and probably 
would, have lasted for four or five years, with, in its first half, more 
defeats than victories falling to our share; whereas, in less than 
two campaigns, we conquered a great country and a peace, with- 
out the loss of a single battle or skirmish."— TTiw/icZd Scott. 

APPOINTMENT AND ADMISSION OF CADETS TO THE 
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY. 

Each Congressional District and Territory — also the District 
of Columbia — is entitled to have one Cadet at the Academy. 
Each State is also entitled to have two Cadets at the Academy, 
from the State at large. Thirty are appointed from the United 
States at large. The appointments (except those from the Uni- 
ted States at large and from the District of Columbia) are made 
by the Secretary of War at the request of the Senator, Repre- 
sentative, or Delegate, in Congress; and the person appointed 
must be an actual resident of the State or District or Territory 
from which the appointment is made. The appointments from 
the United States at large and from the District of Columbia 
are specially conferred by the President. 



in the United States Army. 11 

Applications can be made at any time, by letter to the Secre^ 
tary of War, to have the name of the applicant placed upon the 
register that it may be furnished to the proper Senator, Repre- 
sentative, or Delegate, when a vacancy occurs. The applica- 
tion must exhibit the full name, date of birth, and permanent 
abode of the applicant, with the number of the Congressional 
District in which his residence is situated. 

Appointments are required by law to be made one year in 
advance of the date of admission, except in cases where, by 
reason of death or other cause, a vacancy occurs which cannot 
be provided for by such appointment in advance. These va- 
cancies are filled in time for the next examination. 

For each candidate appointed there may be nominated a 
legally qualified second candidate, to be designated the alter- 
nate. The alternate will also receive from the War Department 
a letter of appointment, and will be examined with the regular 
appointee, and if duly qualified, will be admitted to the Acad- 
emy in the event of the failure of the principal to pass the pre- 
scribed preliminary examination. The alternate will not be al- 
lowed to defer his reporting until the result of the examination 
of the regular appointee is known, but must report at the time 
designated by his letter of appointment. The alternate, like 
the nominee, should be designated as nearly one year in advance 
of date of admission as possible. 

Candidates selected by the War Department will be in- 
structed to appear for mental and physical examination before 
boards of Army officers to be convened at such places as the 
War Department may select, on the first day of March annually 
(except when that day falls on Sunday, in which case the ex- 
amination will commence on the following Tuesday). The can- 
didates who pass successfully will be admitted to the Academy 
the following June. 



12 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

No candidate shall be examined at any other time, unless 
prevented from presenting himself by sickness, or some other 
unavoidable cause, in which case he shall be examined during! 
the last week in August. 

Immediately after reporting to the Superintendent for ad- 
mission, and before receiving his warrant of appointment, the 
candidate will be required to sign an engagement for service in 
the following form, in the presence of the Superintendent or 
some officer designated by him: 

I, , of the State of (or Territory of) 

. aged years, months, do hereby en- 
gage (with the consent of my parent or guardian) that, from the 
date of my admission as a Cadet of the United States Military 
Academy, I will serve in the Army of the United States for 
eight years, unless sooner discharged by competent authority. 

In the presence of 



The candidate is then required to take and subscribe an 
oath or affirmation in the following form: 

I. , do solemnly swear that I will 

support the Constitution of the United States, and will bear true 
allegiance to the National Government; that I will maintain and 
defend the sovereignty of the United States, paramount to any 
and all allegiance, sovereignty, or fealty I may owe to any State 
or country whatsoever; and that I will at all times obey the 
legal orders of my superior officers, and the rules and articles 
governing the armies of the United States. 

Sworn and subscribed at — , this ... ..-- .... 

day of , nineteen hundred and, .-,.. ... , before 

me. 



in the United States Army, 13 

QUALIFICATIONS. 

Candidates are eligible for admission from the day they are 
seventeen, until the day they become twenty-two years of age, 
on which latter day they are not eligible. 

No candidate will be admitted who is deformed, or afflicted 
with any form of disease or infirmity which would render him 
unfit for the military service, or who has at the time of pre- 
senting himself any disorder of an infectious or immoral char- 
acter. Accepted candidates, if between seventeen and eighteen 
years of age, should not fall below five feet and three inches in 
height and one hundred pounds in weight; if over nineteen, 
five feet and four inches in height and one hundred and ten 
pounds in weight. Candidates must be unmarried. 

"A sound body and constitution, suitable preparation, good 
natural capacity, an aptitude for study, industrious habits, per- 
severance, an obedient and orderly disposition, and a correct 
moral deportment are such essential qualifications that candi- 
dates knowingly deficient in any of these respects should not 
subject themselves and their friends to the chances of future 
mortification and disappointment, by accepting appointments at 
the Academy and entering upon a career which they cannot suc- 
cessfully pursue." 

CHARACTER OF ACADEMICAL EXAMINATION. 

Every applicant who has passed satisfactorily the physical 
examination will be examined in a thorough manner in the 
following subjects: 

1. Readi'mj. In reading candidates m.ust be able to read 
understandingly, with proper accent and emphasis. 

2. Writinig and OrthograpJiij. In writing and orthography 
they must be able, from dictation, to write sentences from stand- 



14 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

ard pieces of English literature, both prose and poetry, suffi- 
cient in number to test their qualifications both in handwrit- 
ing and orthography. They must also be able to write and spell 
correctly from dictation a certain number of standard test 
words, 

3. Arithmetic. 

4. BnglisJi Grammar. 

5. GeograpJiy, particularly of our own country. 

6. History. So much of the history of the United States as 
is contained in ordinary school histories. 

ACADEMIC DUTIES. 

The Cadets are arranged in four distinct classes, corre- 
sponding with the four years' study. The Cadets employed on 
the first year's course constitute the Foivt^tli Class; those on the 
second year's course the Third Class; those on the third year's 
course the Second Class; and those on the fourth year's course 
the First Class. 

The academic year commences on the 1st of July. On or 
before that date the result of the examination held in the pre- 
ceding month is announced and Cadets are advanced from one 
class to another. At no other time shall a Cadet be advanced 
from one class to another, unless prevented by sickness or 
authorized absence from attending at the aforesaid examina- 
tion; but in no case shall a Cadet be advanced from one class 
to another without having passed a satisfactory examination by 
the Academic Board. 

The academic duties and exercises commence on the first 
of September and continue until the first of June. Examina- 
tions of the several classes are held in January and June, and, 
at the former, such of the new Cadets as are found proficient in 
studies and have been correct in conduct are given the particu- 



in the United States Army. 15 

lar standing in their class to which their merits entitle them. 
After the examination, Cadets found deficient in conduct or 
studies are discharged from the Academy, unless the Academic 
Board for special reasons in each case should otherwise recom- 
mend. Similar examinations are held every January and June 
during the four years comprising the course of studies. 

These examinations are very thorough and require from the 
Oadets a close and persevering attention to study without eva- 
sion or slighting of any part of the course, as no relaxation of 
any kind can be made by the examiners. 

The Academy has the following departments: Tactics, Civil 
and Military Engineering, Natural and Experimental Philoso- 
phy, Mathematics, Chemistry, Mineralogy and Geology, Drawing, 
Modern Languages, Law and History, Practical Military Engin- 
eering, Military Signaling and Telegraphy, Ordnance and Gun- 
nery. The Academy also has a Chaplain, Master of the Sword, 
and Teacher of Mnsic. 

MILITARY INSTRUCTION. 

For instruction in Infantry Tactics and in military police 
and discipline, the Cadets are organized into a battalion of four 
companies under the Commandant of Cadets, each company 
being commanded by an officer of the Army. The officers and 
non-commissioned officers are selected from the Cadets who 
have been most studious, soldier-like in the performance of 
their duties, and most exemplary in their general deportment. 
In general, the captains and lieutenants are taken from the first 
class, the sergeants from the second class, and the corporals 
from the third class. 

From the termination of the examination in June to the 
end of August, the Cadets live in camp, engaged only in military 
duties and exercises and receiving practical military instruction. 



16 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

PAY OF CADETS. 

The pay of a Cadet is $540 per year, to commence witli his 
admission to the Academy. No Cadet is permitted to receive 
money or any other supplies from his parents, or from any 
person whomsoever, without the sanction of the Superintendent. 

There being no provision whatever for the payment of the 
traveling expenses of either accepted or rejected candidates for 
admission, no candidate should fail to provide himself in ad- 
vance with the means of returning to his home in case of rejec- 
tion before either of the Examining Boards, as he may other- 
wise be put to considerable trouble, inconvenience, and even 
suffering on account of his destitute condition. After defraying 
their expenses while there, all balances due to candidates who 
fail to pass the entrance examination are promptly refunded. 
If admitted, the money brought by him to meet such a contin- 
gency can be deposited with the Treasurer of the Academy on 
account of his equipment as a Cadet, or returned to his friends. 

ASSIGNMENT TO CORPS AFTER GRADUATION. 

The following provision of an act of Congress approved 
May 17, 1886, regulates the promotion of graduates of the United 
States Military Academy: 

"That when any cadet of the United States Military Acad- 
emy has gone through all the classes and received a regular di- 
ploma from the academic staff, he may be promoted and com- 
missioned as a second lieutenant in any arm or corps of the 
Army in which there may be a vacancy and the duties of which 
he may be judged competent to perform; and in case there shall 
not at the time be a vacancy in such arm or corps, he may, at 
the direction of the President, be promoted and commissioned 
in it as an additional second lieutenant, with the usual pay and 



in the United States Army. IT 

allowances of a second lieutenant, until a vacancy shall 
happen." 

NOTES. 

The use of tobacco in any form by Cadets is prohibited. 

Cadets are required to wear the prescribed uniform. All 
articles of their uniform are of a designated pattern, and are 
sold to Cadets at West Point at regulated prices. 

Except in extreme cases, Cadets are allowed but one leave of 
absence during the four years' course; as a rule the leave is 
granted at the end of the first two years' course of study. 

A candidate who failed to pass the entrance examinations, 
at West Point can be re-appointed to fill the vacancy caused 
by his failure. 

The Military Academy was created by an act of Congress, 
approved March 16, 1802. It was formally opened July 4, 1802, 
with ten Cadets present 

There are about 1,885 living graduates of the Academy, of 
which number 335 are in civil life and the remainder in the 
Army, either on the active or retired lists. 

For list of questions asked candidates for admission to the 
United States Military Academy at a recent examination, see 
Appendix A. 



18 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

CHAPTER III. 

PROMOTION OF ENLISTED MEN. 

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED OF APPLICANTS FROM THE 
ARMY.— THE EXAMINATION.— CANDIDATES FOR PRO- 
MOTION. 

PROMOTION OF ENLISTED MEN. 

Vacancies in the grade of second lieutenant in the Regular 
Army existing each year after the appointment and assignment 
of the graduates of the United States Military Academy are filled: 
First, from enlisted men of the Army found duly qualified; 
Second, from candidates from civil life who have passed a satis- 
factory examination. The candidates in each class will be ap- 
pointed in order of merit as determined by the examining boards. 

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED OF APPLICANTS FROM THE 

ARMY. 

Any enlisted man (it makes no difference whether he be 
a non-commissioned officer or private) of the Regular Army, 
unmarried, not over thirty years of age at the date set for the 
meeting of the examining board, who is a citizen of the United 
States, physically sound, of good moral character both before 
and after enlistment, and who has served honorably not less 
than two years in the Army (any honorable service counts, 
whether Regular or Volunteer, as a commissioned officer or en- 
listed man, or a Cadet at the United States Military Academy, 
whether continuous service or not) on or prior to the date set 
for the meeting of the examining board, may compete in the 
examination. 

The two years' honorable service in the Army prior to the 
date of the applicant's examination must be exclusive of tech- 



in the United States Army. 19 

nical service due to furlough or other absence from duty in his 
own interest. 

Furloughs not exceeding fifteen days in all, or for even a 
greater period in a case which may be determined by competent 
authority to be extraordinary, during the first two years of en- 
listment, will not be considered to be within the meaning of the 
preceding paragraph. 

A soldier desiring to appear for examination before an ex- 
amining board must make timely application therefor to his 
regimental commander through his company commander. 

THE EXAMINATION. 

With a view to the selection of proper enlisted men of the 
Army for the grade of second lieutenant, each commander of 
a geographical department, on or about June 1 of each year, 
will convene a board of five commissioned officers (including 
two medical officers, whose duties will be confined to inquire 
into and report upon the physical qualifications of the appli- 
cants) before which any enlisted man of the Regular Army 
serving within the department and possessing the necessary 
legal qualifications, and who may desre to take the examnaton, 
will be ordered to appear before the board will be furnished 
with free transportation to the point of holding such examina- 
tion and return to their proper stations. 

No definite date for the convening of these boards has been 
designated. They will, in all probability, be ordered in the 
future to hold the examinations about June 1 of each year. Pre- 
vious to our war with Spain, boards for the final competitive 
examination of enlisted men held the examinations beginning 
September 1 of each year, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. 

The members and recorder of boards appointed for the 



20 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

examination of enlisted men, to determine their fitness for pro- 
motion, shall be sworn in every case to discharge their duties 
honestly and faithfully, and the boards may examine witnesses 
and take depositions, for which purposes they shall have such 
powers of a court of inquiry as may be necessary. 

Every applicant will be subjected to a rigid physical exam- 
ination, and if there be found to exist any cause of disqualifi- 
cation to such a degree as might in the future impair his effi- 
ciency as an officer in the Army, he will be rejected. Exami- 
nation as to physical qualifications will conform to the standard 
required of recruits. 

The board being satisfied with these preliminary points 
will proceed to examine each candidate separately in the fol- 
lowing subjects: 

1. English Grammar, including orthography, reading, and 
writing from oral dictation. 

2. Mathematics, including arithmetic, algebra, to include 
the solution of equations of the first degree containing one un- 
known quantity, the use of logarithms, the elements of plane 
geometry, plane trigonometry and surveying. 

3. Geography, particularly in reference to the United States 
of North America. 

4. The outlines of general history, and particularly the his- 
tory of the United States. 

5. The Constitution of the United States and the organiza- 
tion of the Government under it; and the elements of inter- 
national law. 

6. Array regulations and the drill regulations of the arm 
from which the candidate is selected. The examination in drill 
regulations will be practical, extending through the school of 
the soldier, squad and platoon, and shall take place on the 
parade-ground in the presence of the board. 



in the United States Army. 21 

7. The military records of the candidates as certified to by 
their company, post and regimental commanders. 

8. Physical aptitude as determined by the medical exami- 
nation, proficiency in athletics, skill in field sports, etc. 

9. Moral character and civil record as verified after a 
thorough investigation by the board. 

After the examination has been cOii pleted and the board 
has examined and passed upon all the applicants, it will prepare 
a tabulated statement showing the order of their relative merit 
as developed by the examination, and the same will be for- 
warded, together with all papers pertaining to the examination, 
to the Adjutant-General of the Army. 

For the purpose of appointment and of relative rank after 
appointment, the names of all the successful candidates will be 
arranged by the War Department on an eligible list according 
to their general average as reported by the departmental boards. 

CANDIDATES FOR PROMOTION. 

Each enlisted man recommended and passed by the board 
will receive from the Adjutant-General of the Army a certifi- 
cate of eligibility for appointment to the grade of second llei?- 
tenant and will be known as a "candidate" for promotion. Hf 
will have the title "candidate" prefixed to his name in all rolk. 
returns, orders and correspondence in which it appears^ and 
will be entitled to wear the "candidate's" stripes on the sleeves 
of uniform coat, blouse and overcoat, so long as he holds this 
specially honorable position. 

These stripes will be worn on the upper half of each cuff, and 
will consist of a double stripe running the length of the cuff, 
pointed at the upper end, and with a small button below the 
point of the stripe; for uniform coat, of gold braid; for blouse 
and overcoat, of cloth of same color of facings of uniform; width 



22 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

of braid or cloth, % inch; width of space between braid, % 
inch. 

A "candidate" who becomes ineligible by reason of age will 
be entitled to wear the "candidate's" stripe on the left sleeve 
so long as he maintains his good standing in the service. 

The eligibility of a "candidate" for appointment as second 
lieutenant and his privileges as "candidate" terminate one year 
after date of his examination, unless he shall again be recom- 
mended on competitive examination. In order to secure a re- 
examination he will forward an application therefor through his 
regular military commanders (whose remarks will be endorsed 
thereon), to the Adjutant-General, at least three months in ad- 
vance of the time of holding the competitive examination. After 
re-examination, he will take his place in the relative merit list 
with those examined at the time of his re-examination. 

A soldier having failed to pass the competitive board may 
secure a second examination by making proper application 
therefor. Having twice failed to pass the board, he will not be 
ordered up for further examination. 

No soldier will be re-examined who will pass the age limit 
prior to date set for such re-examination. 

No soldier will be given a special examination. Tliere will 
be but one competitive examination each year. Candidates 
with less than two years' service have been ordered to appear 
before examining boards, but were required to complete this 
service before receiving appointments. 

Candidates who maj^ be guilty of misconduct will be 
promptly reported to the Adjutant-General through regimental 
and department commanders. The report must contain a full 
statement of the alleged misconduct, with names of witnesses. 
The department comander will see that the candidate has a fair 



in the United States Army, i 23 

and impartial hearing, and will forward the report for the decis- 
ion of the Secretary of War. 

Candidates will not be deprived of the privileges of their 
position, unless by a sentence of a general court-martial or the 
order of the Secretary of War, except by operation of law. 
While holding the privileges of that position they will not be 
brought before a summary court, or a garrison or regimental 
court-martial. 

For the laws pertaining to the promotion of enlisted men, 
and list of questions asked at a recent examination, see Ap- 
pendix B. 



24 A. Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

CHAPTER IV. 

ENLISTING FOR A COMMISSION. 

THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE DIF- 
FERENT ARMS.—CAVALRY.— ARTILLERY— INFANTRY. 
—BATTALION OF ENGINEERS, ETC.— HOSPITAL CORPS. 
—A BIT OF ADVICE TO ASPIRANTS.— MISCELLANEOUS. 

An important matter to decide after having once made up 
your mind to enlist with the view of trying for a commission 
from the ranks, is that of choosing the regiment or arm of 
service to enter. 

The arm of the service you represent when you appear 
before the board for examination will not add to or take from 
your chances of passing. The fact that you are an artilleryman, 
cavalryman or infantryman will not affect your standing when 
the papers are graded. 

Different men are suited to different arms of the service. A 
man might prove a failure as a cavalryman, yet have the making 
of a good foot soldier, and vice versa. Persons contemplating 
enlisting would do well to first carefully consider the duties of 
the different branches and decide which is best suited to them. 

THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE 
DIFFERENT ARMS. 

CAVALRY. 

Many officers now in the service came from the ranks of the 
Cavalry arm. The service is always attractive, and persons 
physically suited to it usually become enthusiasts after once 
they become accustomed to the duties of a cavalryman. The 
United States Cavalry is recognized as the best in the world. 
Up to within the past few years most of the Cavalry regiments 



in the United Stdtes Army. 25 

were stationed on the frontier, frequently in the field. Many 
of the regiments are now serving in our new possessions. 

ARTILLERY. 

Light batteries are necessarily hard worked. The men's 
time is usually taken up by drills, "stables," and other duties, 
and as a general thing could not be recommended to aspirants 
for commissions, owing to this fact. If, however, a young man 
comes into the service well equipped mentally, and requires no 
further preparation for the examinations than keeping "brushed 
up" on the necessary branches of study, he will find many 
charms in this arm. It is certainly the most picturesque branch 
of our Army, and the dash and activity of its duties are always 
inspiring. 

Pleavy batteries offer many opportunities to the young aspi- 
rant. They are our coast defense forces and are usually sta- 
tioned near the larger sea-board cities. The study of mathe- 
matics (an important study for candidates for shoulder-straps) 
enters largely into the duties of heavy batterymen. 

INFANTRY. 

The greater number of the officers of the Army who came 
from the ranks served as enlisted men in the Infantry arm. It 
is the largest branch of the Army — in fact, larger than all of the 
other arms combined. There is nothing in its evolutions and 
maneuvers on the parade-ground that is awe-inspiring or that 
tends to evoke applause, but at the same time it is the back- 
bone of the service, and like the other branches of our military 
establishment, has always shown itself efficient in peace and 
war. Practically all of the Infantry is now serving in foreign 
parts. This arm of the service offers, undoubtedly, the best 
advantages for enlisted men to secure commissions. 



26 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

BATTALION OF ENGINEERS, ETC. 

The Battalion of Engineers, the Ordnance Department and 
the Signal Corps have each contributed their share of success- 
ful candidates for commissions. OfRcers from the ranks are 
seldom, if ever, commissioned to the Engineers or Ordnance 
Corps, and should an enlisted man from either of these branches 
be commissioned, his training in military duties while an en- 
listed man will not have been in the line of his duties as an 
officer. If a man is to be an Infantry, Cavalry, or Artillery 
officer, it is better for him to be trained in one of these schools. 
It cannot be contradicted that a man's training as a soldier 
comes well in hand once that he becomes an officer. To enter 
the Signal Corps requires a knowledge of telegraphy. Of the 
three officers from the ranks of this corps, all served as enlisted 
men in that branch. 

HOSPITAL CORPS. 

The pay of privates is better than the pay in the line. The 
requirements to enter are the same. The hours of duty are 
longer, but seldom as arduous. It offers ample opportunity for 
study. It is a non-combatant force and of course affords a non- 
combatant training. This is probably its greatest disadvantage. 
Quite a few of the officers now on the active list were once 
privates, acting stewards, or stewards in the Hospital Corps. 

A BIT OP ADVICE TO ASPIRANTS. 

When you join your company, have very little to say. If 
you were drawing a salary of $300 per month before enlisting, 
let that be a secret between yourself and your former employer. 

Obey the lawful orders of your officers and non-commis- 
Bioned officers cheerfully and intelligently. Never comment on 



in the United States Army. 27 

them. If you do not at first thorougiily understand what you 
are ordered to do, ask that the order be repeated. 

Do not complain about the rations. Let the old soldiers 
do that; they know just when and how to growl, and besides, 
growling is a privilege conceded them. 

Do not say anything about the fact that you enlisted with 
the hope of securing a commission. Once this is known, you will 
be viewed with a critical eye, and mountains may be made of 
mole-hills. After having been in the company for six or eight 
months, and having established a reputation for integrity, faith- 
fulness and soldierly qualities, make known to your company 
commander your ambition. The chances are that he will make 
you a non-commisioned officer. Good material for non-commis- 
sioned ofiicers is always scarce. By all means never ask to 
be given the "stripes." If your commanding officer sees fit to 
"make" you, he will do so. He will certainly not think well of 
you should you ask him to. 

If you have served in a volunteer or militia regiment, or 
have had any other military training, do not say that "we did so 
and so" in the Ninety-sixth Foot, or whatever your former or- 
ganization may have been. 

It is better to do what soldiers call "straight" duty — i. e., 
carry a rifle and walk post. If you are a good clerk, the prob- 
abilities are that you will be given clerical work to do; but do 
not ask for it. 

Do not be afraid to serve more than two years for your com- 
mission. Three or even four years won't hurt you. The dis- 
cipline will do you good. An officer who has not learned to 
obey is not a fit person to exercise command. 

Be studious. Do not think that you can over prepare your- 
self for the examination. Remember that the better you are 
prepared mentally the higher will be your average grading: 



28 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

the higher your average grading, the sooner you will get your 
commission. 

Keep your clothes and equipment clean, your shoes shined 
and your hair cut. Shave often and always present a neat and 
soldierly appearance. Never under any circumstances try to 
become familiar with your oflScers. Never, when addressing 
them, fail to use "sir." 

Prove yourself "every inch a soldier." 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

There are very few officers in the service who will not 
offer every assistance to men under them who are striving to 
secure a higher position. Most of them possess books on the 
subjects in which the candidate for a commission is required to 
pass, and will gladly loan them to the aspirant, or will inform 
him where they may be obtained. 

Through the ranks is the surest road to a commission. It 
is difficult to secure an appointment to the Military Academy, 
and, should a young man secure the appointment, he will find 
that his commission is not assured, for the percentage of failures 
at West Point is very great. The difficulty in securing a com- 
mission from civil life lies in the fact that the graduating class 
from the Military Academy must first be provided for. After 
this, should any vacancies remain unfilled, the successful com- 
petitors from the ranks of the Army are appointed to fill them. 
Last of all comes the candidate from civil life. The graduating 
class from West Point is seldom sufficiently large to fill all va- 
cancies, but the successful applicants from the Army are usually 
enough to take up all that remains. The last few years has 
offered opportunities for all candidates, whether graduates of 
the Academy, candidates from the Army, or applicants from 
civil life, but this will not last long. In the future a man to be 



in the United States Army. 29 

successful in securing appointment as second lieutenant must 
either enter the Military Academy or enlist and try his luck 
with other competitors from the ranks. A few may secure com- 
missions from civil life, but the number will be small. 



30 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 



CHAPTER V. 

THE ENLISTED MEN OF THE REGULAR ARMY.— REQUIRE- 
MENTS TO ENTER THE SERVICE.— DECLARATION OF 
RECRUIT.— CONSENT IN CASE OF MINOR.— OATH OF 
ENLISTMENT.— GENERAL RECRUITING STATIONS. 

THE ENLISTED MET? OF THE REGULAR ARMY. 

This little work, in addition to its being a guide to young 
men in civil life who are ambitious to become officers in our 
Army, is also intended as a manual for the enlisted men of tha 
Regular service. To submit it with all its other imperfections, 
without a word on the enlisted man himself, would cripple it 
indeed. If the young aspirant for shoulder-straps contem- 
plates securing them by graduating from the Military Academy, 
or taking his examination from civil life, he wants to know the 
character of the men he is to command. If he intends to en- 
list and win his spurs by first serving in the ranks, he wants 
to know what kind of men his fellow-soldiers are to be. 

Before sounding the praises of the enlisted men of our 
permanent establishment, it is well to state that, like all other 
professions and vocations, the Army is made up of men from 
all walks and conditions of life, and the description of any one 
man, intended to portray the general character of the whole 
body, would condemn or eulogize individuals undeservedly. 

As a class they have proven themselves to be steady, hon- 
est, conscientious, and patriotic men, whose devotion to duty 
during the trying and exacting campaigns in the tropics in our 
war with Spain and the insurgents of the Philippine Islands, 
and the advance to Peking in China, has elicited the admiration 
of the nations of the world. Their unflinching bravery, willing- 



in the United States Army. 31 

ness to obey the orders of their superiors in rank, and their 
power for execution, have won them the confidence, affection, 
and praise of their officers. 

The casual observer, the "know-all," and the bigot have 
accused them of being drunkards. To these people one man in 
the uniform of the United States Army seen intoxicated on the 
street brings visions of whole brigades and divisions reeling in 
inebriety. To whom it never occurs that because a single 
brakeman is found tipsy on a public thoroughfare, it does not 
necessarily imply that the whole railroad system is staggering 
under a load of alcoholism. But this condemning a class for 
the indiscretions of individuals of that class seems to be 
confined to the enlisted men of the military service of our 
country. 

No higher praise cpn be given them than by pointing to 
their record from Lexington to Peking. It is a catalogue of 
fortitude, bravery, devotion to duty, and victories. 

At no time has the enlisted personnel of our service been 
of a higher order than during the past five years. Many young 
men of family, intelligence, and education are carrying rifles 
as private soldiers and upholding the honor of "Old Glory." 

A men enlisting with the view of obtaining a commission 
need not isolate himself. He will find many excellent ass'o- 
ciates, who will welcome him to their pleasures and pastimes, 
should he merit it. Soldiers are anything but fools, and are 
not long in placing a new man on his proper level, according 
to his intrinsic worth. 

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER THE SERVICE. 

In all the larger cities of the United States general recruit- 
ing ofiices are maintained. At any of them enlistments may 



5^9 



A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 



be made for any arm of the service needing recruits at the 
time. Here any questions regarding pay, allowances, or duties 
of a soldier will be cheerfully answered. 

An applicant for enlistment is frequently held for a few 
days on probation, at Government expense, pending investiga- 
tion into his character, citizenship, or age. 

Applicants who are under weight, short in chest measure- 
ments, or undersize otherwise, but who are young and give 
promise of broadening and growing, can frequently secure en- 
listment by making application to the Adjutant-General, U. S. 
A., Washington, D. C, for permission to do so. It is always 
best to make this application through a recruiting officer, giv- 
ing him at the time your letters of recommendation, evidences 
of age and citizenship, or, in the case of a minor, written con- 
sent of father, only surviving parent, or guardian. 

The following instructions, emanating from the Adjutant- 
General's office, govern recruiting for the Regular Army: 

"Applicants for enlistment must be between the ages of 18 
and 35 years, of good character and habits, able-bodied, free 
from disease, and must be able to speak, read, and write the 
English language. 

"Married men will be enlisted only upon the approval of a 
regimental commander. 

"Minors will net be enlisted without the written consent of 
father, only surviving parent, or legally appointed guardian. 

"Original enlistments are confined to persons who are citi- 
zens of the United States, or who have made legal declaration 
of their intention to become citizens thereof. 

"Applicants will be required to satisfy the recruiting offi- 
cer regarding age and character, and should be prepared to 
furnish the necessary evidence. 



m the United States Army. 33 

"For Infantry and Artillery the height must be no less than 
five feet and four inches, and weight not less than 120 pounds 
and not more than 190 pounds. 

"For Cavalry the height must be no less than five feet four 
inches and not more than five feet ten inches, and weight not 
to exceed 165 pounds. No minimum weight is prescribed for 
Cavalry, but the chest measurements must be satisfactory. 

"The term of enlistment is three years. 

"It is not necessary that an applicant should conform ex- 
actly to the figures indicated in the following table of propor- 
tions, the variation of a few pounds in weight either way, and 
of a fraction of an inch in chest measures, being permissible. 

Table of Physical Proportions for height, weight, and chest 
measurements: 



HEIGHT. 

Feet. 


Inches. 


WEIGHT,. 

Pounds. 


At Expiration. 
Inches. 


Mobility. 
Inches. 


5 4-12 


64 


128 


32 


2 


5 5-12 


65 


130 


32 


2 


5 6-12 


66 


132 


321/2 


2 


5 7-12 


67 


134 


33 


2 


5 8-12 


68 


141 


33y4 


2^A 


5 9-12 


69 


148 


331/2 


21/2 


5 10-12 


70 


155 


34 


214 


5 11-12 


71 


162 


341/4 


21/2 


6 


72 


169 


34% 


3 


6 1-12 


73 


176 


351^ 


3 



Applicants must defray their own expenses to the place of 
enlistment. Their fitness for the military service can be de- 
termined only upon examination at a military post, or other 
recruiting station. 



34 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

At the recruiting office applicants will be required to an- 
swer the following questions before stripping for the physical 
examination : 

Name; age; birthday; birthplace; occupation; residence; 
are you a citizen of the United States? have you made applica- 
tion for citizenship (if you are not now a citizen)? if so, in 
what court? state previous service (U. S. or foreign); date of 
last discharge, with organization; have you applied before for 
enlistment? if so, where? if rejected, for what cause? 

Then follows a list of questions regarding the applicant's 
physical condition, both past and present. 

The applicant will be required to remove all of his clothing 
for the physical examination by the medical examiner. 

DECLARATION OF RECRUIT. 

Before taking the Oath of Enlistment, the applicant will be 
required to subscribe to the following form: 

I, , desiring to enlist in the Army of the United 

States for the term of three years, do declare that I have neither 
wife nor child; that I am of legal age to enlist, and believe 
myself physically qualified to perform the duties of an able- 
bodied soldier; and I do further declare that I am of good hab- 
its and character in all respects, and have never been discharged 
from the United States service (Army or Navy) or any other 
service on account of disability, or through sentence of either 
civil or military court, nor discharged from any service, civil 
or military, except with good character, and for the reasons 
given by me to the recruiting officer prior to this enlistment.* 

*Hei'e add in case of an applicant for first enlistment: And that 
I am (or have made leg-al declaration of my intention to become) a 
citizen of the United States. 



in the United States Army. 35 



The name and address of wife, nearest relative, guardian, 

or friend is . 

Given at , this day of , 190 

Witness: 



CONSENT IN CASE OF MINOR. 

In the case of the applicant being a minor, the following 
form must be filled out and given to the recruiting officer: 

I, , do certify that I am the of ; that the 

said is years of age; and I do hereby freely give 

my consent to his enlisting in the Army of the United States 
for the period of three years. 

Given at , this day of , 190 . 

Witness: 



OATH OF ENLISTMENT. 

State of , City or town of , ss. 

I, , born in , in the State of , aged 

years and months, and by occupation a , do here- 
by acknowledge to have voluntarily —enlisted this 



day of , 190 , as a soldier in the Army of the United 

States of America, for the period of three years unless sooner 
discharged by proper authority: And do also agree to accept 
from the United States such bounty, pay, rations, and clothing 
as are or may be established by law. And I do solemnly swear 
(or affirm) that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the 
United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly 



36 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

and faithfully against all their enemies whomsoever; and that 
I will obey the orders of the President of the United States, 
and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to 

the Rules and Articles of War. [Seal] 

Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this day of 

, A. D. 190— 

, Recruiting Officer. 

Application may be made at the recruiting office for assign- 
ment to any desired organization. 

GENERAL RECRUITING STATIONS. 

Albany, N. Y., 513 Broadway. 

Baltimore, Md., 104 W. Fayette St. 

Birmingham, Ala., 7 N. Twentieth St. 

Boston, Mass., 73 Hanover St. 

Boston, Mass., 1125 Washington St. 

Boston, Mass., 239 Friend St. 

Bridgeport, Conn., 371 Main St. 

Brooklyn, N. Y., 363 Fulton St. 

Buffalo, N. Y., Pearl and Church Sts. 

Charlotte, N. C, First National Bank Building. 

Chattanooga, Tenn., No. 1 Tenth St. 

Cheyenne, Wyo., 3 Atlas Block. 

Chicago, 111., 82 W. Madison St. 

Chicago, 111., 420 S. State St. 

Cincinnati, Ohio, 309 W. Four.'h St. 

Cleveland, Ohio, 57 Public Square. 

Columbus, Ohio, 51^^ E. State St. 

Dallas, Texas, 316 Commerce St. 

Dayton, Ohio, Fourth and Jefferson Sts. 



in the United States Army. 37 

Denver, Colo., Ill Cheesman Block. 

Des Moines, Iowa, 221 W. Fourth St. 

Detroit, Mich., 116 Woodward Ave. 

Evansville, Ind., Third and Main Sts. 

Fall River, Mass., Room 141/^ Borden Block. 

Ft. Worth, Texas, 507 Main St. 

Geneva, N. Y., 22 Schnirel Building. 

Grand Rapids, Mich., 51 Pearl St. 

Greensboro, N. C, 200 Southern Loan and Trust Building. 

Harrisburg, Pa,, 227 Walnut St. 

Hartford, Conn., 66 State St. 

Indianapolis, Ind., 25 N. Illinois St. 

Kansas City, Mo., 116 W. Sixth St. 

Knoxville, Tenn., 407 W. Depot St. 

Lexington, Ky., 116 E. Main St. 

Little Rock, Ark., Whipple Building. 

Louisville, Ky., 514 W. Jefferson St. 

Macon, Ga., 402 Cherry St. 

Memphis, Tenn., 38 Madison St. 

Milwaukee, Wis., 445 E. Water St. 

Minneapolis, Minn., 324 First Ave. 

Montgomery, Ala., Moses Building. 

Nashville, Tenn., 145 N. Cherry St. 

Newark, N. J., 275 Market St. 

New Bedford, Mass., 37 Purchase St. 

New Haven, Conn., 890 Chapel St. 

New York City, 25 Third Ave. 

New York City, 132 Park Ave. 

New York City, 57 E. 125th St. 

Peoria, 111.. 103 S. Jefferson Ave. 

Philadelphia, Pa., 1316 Filbert St. 



38 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

Philadelphia, Pa., 2434 Kensington Ave. 

Pittsburg, Pa., 951 Penn Ave. 

Portland, Me., 2051/2 Middle St. 

Portland, Ore., Third and Stark Sts. 

Providence, R. I., 24 N. Main St. 

Pueblo, Colo., 10 Wilson Block. 

Rochester, N. Y.. 26 E. Main St. 

San Francisco, Cal., 121 New Montgomery St. 

Savannah, Ga., 303 Bull St. 

Seattle, Wash., 523 Pioneer Building. 

Springfield, 111., 100 East Side Square. 

Springfield, Mass., Cooley Place. 

St. Louis, Mo., Corner Third and Olive Sts. 

St. Paul, Minn., Phoenix Building. 

Syracuse, N. Y., Room 109 Bastable Building. 

Toledo, Ohio, 201 Monroe St. 

Topeka, Kan., 401 Kansas Ave. 

Trenton, N. J., Corner Broad and Front Sts. 

Utica, N. Y., 29 Clarendon Building. 

Worcester, Mass., 405 Main St. 



in tlie United States Army. 69 



CHAPTER VI. 

PROMOTIONS FROM CIVIL LIFE. 

APPLICATIONS— TO WHOM MADE.— EXAMINING BOARDS- 
HOW CONSTITUTED.— QUALIFICATIONS.— RULES GOV- 
ERNING THE EXAMINATION.— ASSIGNMENT TO REGI- 
MENT.— EXPENSES INCIDENT TO THE EXAMINATION. 
—NOTES. 

Vacancies in the Army in the grade of second lieutenant 
existing each year after the appointment of graduates of the 
United States Military Academy, and enlisted men of the Army 
who have satisfactorily passed the competitive examination, are 
filled from civil life. 

APPLICATIONS— TO WHOM MADE. 

Civilians should address applications for appointment as 
second lieutenant to the Adjutant-General of the Army, Wash- 
ington, D. C. There is no prescribed form of application. 
The names of all applicants are arranged on one list in the 
Adjutant-General's office for the consideration of the President 
when vacancies exist and appointments are to be made. 

EXAMINING BOARDS— HOW CONSTITUTED. 

Boards for the examination of applicants from civil life 
for appointment to position of second lieutenant in the Army 
will be appointed by the Secretary of War, and will consist of 
five conftnissioned officers, including two medical officers. The 
duties of the medical officers will be confined to the inquiring 
into and reporting upon the physical qualifications of the 
candidates. 



40 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 



QUALIFICATIONS— RULES GOVERNING THE EXAMINATION. 

The applicant must be between the ages of twenty-one and 
twenty-seven years. He must be a citizen of the United States; 
physically qualified to discharge all of the duties of an officer 
in active service; free from any deformity of body or mental 
infirmity, and of good morals. 

The following rules govern the examination of candidates 
from civil life for appointment to the Army as second lieu- 
tenants: 

No person shall be examined unless he has a letter from 
the War Department authorizing his examination. 

If the candidate has been graduated at an institution 
where he received military instruction, he must present a 
diploma or a recommendation from the faculty of the insti- 
tution. 

If a member of the National Guard, he must present rec- 
ommendations from the proper National Guard authorities. 

Every candidate will be subjected to a rigid physical exam- 
ination, and if there be found to exist any cause of disqualifi- 
cation which might in the future impair his efliciency as an 
officer of the Army, he will be rejected. The board will inquire 
and report concerning each applicant, whether he is of good 
moral character or addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors. 
Examination as to physical qualifications will conform to the 
standard required of recruits, and include a certificate of phys- 
ical examination by two medical officers to accompany the pro- 
ceedings of the board (which will embrace all the information 
required by the form for the examination of recruits). 

The board being satisfied as to these preliminary points, 
will proceed to examine each candidate separately: 



m the United States Army. 41 

1. In his knowledge of English grammar, and his ability 
to read, write, and spell with facility and correctness. 

2. In his knowledge of arithmetic, and his ability to apply 
its rules to all practical questions; in liis knowledge of the use 
of logarithms, and his ability to apply them to questions of 
practice; in his knowledge of algebra, to include the solution 
of simple equations, and his knowledge of geometry, plane trig- 
onometry, and the elements of surveying. 

3. In his knowledge of geography, particularly in refer- 
ence to the northern continent of America. 

4. In his knowledge of the outlines of general history, and 
particularly the history of his own country. 

5. In his knowledge of the Constitution of the United 
States, and the organization of the Government under it, and 
the elements of international law. 

6. The board, having examined into the mental qualifica- 
tions of each candidate and his character for sobriety and fidel- 
ity, will also inquire into his general qualifications, aptitude, 
and probable efficiency as an officer of the Army. 

No candidate will be passed by the board who shall not 
have attained an average of 65 per cent in each subject of the 
examination and a general average of at least 70 per cent. 

When an examining board shall have passed upon more 
than one candidate, the order of relative merit of all the candi- 
dates examined by the board will be reported. 

The proceedings of the board will be forwarded to the Ad- 
jutant-General. 

ASSIGNMENT TO REGIMENT. 

Candidates successful in securing commissions will be as- 
signed to either the Cavalry, Artillery, or Infantry arm of the 
service, depending entirely upon existing vacancies at the time. 



42 A Manual for Aspirants for Cmnmissions 

EXPENSES INCIDENT TO THE EXAMINATION. 

Candidates from civil life must defray their expenses while 
attending the examination, and in traveling to and from the 
meeting-place of the examining boards. If successful in ob- 
taining a commission, they will be required to bear their ex- 
pense for travel from the place of receiving their order of 
assignment to a regiment to the place designated in the order 
for them to report for duty. 

NOTES. 

It is no easy matter to secure a commission in the Army 
from civil life. Where one vacancy exists there are hundreds 
of applicants for the place. The examination is not a hard 
one, but the difficulty lies in securing permission to appear 
before the examining board. 

Civilians trying for appointment are invited to read the 
last paragraph of Chapter IV. Should they contemplate enlist- 
ing with this purpose in view, the perusal of "The Enlisted Men 
of the Regular Army," Chapter V., will give them an idea of 
the class of men with whom they would be thrown for two 
years or longer. Any other information regarding the service 
they may desire will be found in Chapters IV., V., and VIII. 

For list of questions asked at a recent examination, see 
Appendix C. 



in the United States Army. 43 

CHAPTER VII. 

A SHORT TALK WITH NEWLY COMMISSIONED 
OFFICERS. 

The country is full of tailors; some are reputable and 
some are not. No advice can be given as to whom to patronize. 
It will not be difficult, however, to learn the address of a sat- 
isfactory firm. In ordering your uniforms, it is better to have 
your measurements taken in person; but if this is not prac- 
ticable, good results may be had by carefully filling out the 
measurement blanks furnished by all the better establish- 
ments. Do not load yourself down with a lot of cheap uni- 
forms. They will never look well, and will probably cause you 
to be branded, upon first joining your regiment, as an officer 
careless about his personal appearance. On the other hand, 
do not go deeply into debt in order to get the most expensive 
outfit. Even if you have the money, it is not the best of taste 
to show extravagance in this matter. There is a medium be- 
tween these two extremes which it is well to follow. 

In these days of foreign service you will need an outfit 
something near the following list, the cost of which will be 
between two hundred and fifty and three hundred dollars: 

Sword; revolver, with holster and cartridge-belt, for field 
service; sword belt, leather; field glasses; one undress blouse; 
one field blouse of dark blue cloth; two khaki blouses; two 
white duck blouses; two pairs of uniform trousers; two pairs 
khaki trousers; four pairs of white duck trousers; forage cap, 
dark blue; forage cap, white; campaign hat; pair of leggings; 
six pairs of white gloves; cape; overcoat; mackintosh, and high 
rubber boots. 



44 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

The cape is not, strictly speaking, a part of the uniform. 
It cannot be worn when on duty with troops, but is a hand- 
some and convenient article of dress and will be found very 
useful. 

To the above list might be added the dress coat, dress (or 
gold lace) belt, shoulder-knots and helmet. The dress uniform 
is now so seldom worn that it would be hard to advise a young 
officer to provide himself with one unless he is sure of a 
station within the United States, where he would, probably, 
some time have need for it. This uniform is quite expensive, 
and besides, is more or less of a burden when traveling from 
station to station. 

A newly appointed officer, immediately upon the receipt of 
his order of assignment to a regiment, should report at once 
to his regimental commander by letter. 

When reporting for duty, wear your undress uniform and 
sword. 

Begin and continue your military career by being exem- 
plary in your deportment and considerate in your conduct 
toward the men under you. Remember that swearing at and 
abusing your inferiors in rank does not stamp you as embody- 
ing all that is necessary in a great military commander. Any 
common tough or bully can do this. The truly great comman- 
der of men is he who says little, but bj'' his firmness and earn- 
estness accomplishes much. 

On all occasions respect the rank and length of service of 
the older officers of your regiment, and be cheerful, earnest, 
and loyal in obeying their orders. 

There are people in both civil and military life who hold 
positions quite as high and honorable as a second lieutenant, 
and a newly appointed officer of the latter r^nk will dp well 



in the United States Army. 45 

to bear this fact in mind. Your position is a dignified, honor- 
able, and just fairly remunerative one. 

Do not go deeply into debt thinking that you can pay out 
easily from your salary. After a second lieutenant has paid 
his mess bills, kept himself provided with the necessary uni- 
forms and equipment, and met the hundred and one other calls 
on his purse, he will find but little of his pay remaining. Men 
commissioned from the Army are especially warned against 
going into debt. Accustomed to the pay of a soldier, they over- 
estimate the purchasing power of their monthly pay voucher 
and get hopelessly involved before they discover their mistake. 

FORM OF OATH TAKEN BY ALL COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 

I, , having been appointed a in the military 

service of the United States, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that 
I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States 
against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true 
faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation 
freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; 
and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the 
office on which I am about to enter. So help me God. 



Sworn to and subscribed before me, at , this 

day of , 190—. 



46 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

CHAPTER VIII. 

GRADES OF RANK OF OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED 
OFFICERS.— RELATIVE RANK BETWEEN OFFICERS OF 
THE ARMY AND THE NAVY.— PAY AND ALLOWANCES 
OF OFFICERS.— PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF ENLISTED 
MEN. 

GRADES OF RANK OF OFFICERS AND NON-COMMISSIONED 
OFFICERS. 

The grades of rank of officers and non-commissioned offi- 
cers of the United States Army are given below. In each grade, 
date of commissions, appointment, or warrant determines the 
order of precedence. Officers of the Regular Army, Marine 
Corps, and Volunteers, when commissioned or mustered into 
the service of the United States, being upon equal footing, take 
precedence in each grade by date of commission or appoint- 
ment. When employed with the Regular or Volunteer troops, 
Militia officers take rank next after all officers of like grade 
in those forces. 

Should two or more officers of the Regular or Volunteer 
forces be of the same grade and date of appointment or com- 
mission, other than through regular promotion through senior- 
ity, their relative rank is determined by length of service as a 
commissioned officer, either in the Regular or Volunteer estab- 
lishments, since April 19, 1861. It makes no difference whether 
this service has been continuous or not: 

1. Lieutenant-general. 

2. Major-general. 

3. Brigadier general. 

4. Colonel. 

5. Lieutenant-colonel. 



in the United States Army. 47 

6. Major. 

7. Captain. 

8. First lieutenant. 

9. Second lieutenant. 

10. Cadet U. S. Military Academy. 

11. Sergeant-major (regimental). 

12. Quartermaster sergeant (regimental). 

13. Commissary sergeant (regimental). 

14. Ordnance sergeant, commissary sergeant, post quar- 
termaster sergeant, electrician sergeant, hospital steward, first- 
class sergeant of the Signal Corps, chief musician, chief trum- 
peter, and principal musician. 

15. Squadron or battalion sergeant-major. 

16. First sergeant and drum major. 

17. Company or troop quartermaster sergeant, sergeant, 
and acting hospital steward. 

18. Corporal. , 

19. Lance corporal. 

RELATIVE RANK BETWEEN OFFICERS OF THE ARMY AND 

NAVY. 

Lineal rank only being considered, the relative rank be- 
tween officers of the Army and Navy is as follows: 





Army. 




Navy. 


1. 


General. 


1. 


Admiral. 


2. 


Lieutenant-general. 


2. 


Vice-admiral. 


3. 


Major-general. 


3. 


Rear-admiral. 


4. 


Brigadier general. 


4. 


Commodore. 


5. 


Colonel. 


5. 


Captain. 


6. 


Lieutenant-colonel. 


6. 


Commander. 


7. 


Major. 


7. 


Lieutenant commander. 



48 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

8. Captain. 8. Lieutenant 

9. First lieutenant. 9. Lieutenant (junior grade) 
10. Second lieutenant. 10. Ensign. 

PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF OFFICERS. 

Pay of Officers in Active Service. 

In time of war every officer serving with troops operating 
against an enemy who shall exercise, under assignment in 
orders issued by competent authority, a command above that 
pertaining to his grade, shall be entitled to receive the pay and 
allowances of the grade appropriate to the command so exer- 
cised. A rate of pay exceeding that of a brigadier general shall 
not be paid in any case by reason of such assignment. 

The pay of officers serving in Porto Rico, Cuba, the Phil- 
ippine Islands, Hawaii, and in the Territory of Alaska shall 
be increased 10 per centum over and above the rates of pay 
proper as given in the following table: 



in the United States Army. 



49 



■3DIA43S 
iSaB3A OS 



•3DIAJ3S 
.SJBSA 91 



•3DXAJ3S 

^sjBaA 01 



■SDiAjas 

.SJB3A 9 



a. 



p. 



lO CO tH CO O CO 10 o o < 



§0 00 0000000000 
ooooooooooooo 
d o o o' o' o' o' d o' o d o d d 

USO'^OCXJOOOCOO^insiO'TrifS 
COC0(N(Nr-IC^<NiHrHT-l»-liHiH,-| 



coot-coococooot^oocco 

OOOi-iCOOCOCOOO«OU5lOeOUJ 

oi!3o;coii3so50ioiC50i>i>(y^i~-^ 

«, ^ " — -D OO 00 50 50 -* JO CC C-l ?C 



21= 



l:-OCOt^OJOt>OI>t>OOCOOOt^O 

sDOcooocoecoscaootoooeoo 
^oiQGOi-idcotododoocoioiodiA 

C50-<tlC<lC^lI-.1i-(i-(r-lT-)i-lr-(r-(rHi-lrHr-l 



2 2S'20'='20®oooooooo 

OOOC>OOOoOOOOOOOOO 

oo'dddo'odo'ooooddoci 

OOO— QOOOOQOOOOOOO 

o^irs lOioomoooooooaosDiniiOTfiio 

•H I> l^JO'co'cfcfrH Cf C4 ■HrH^'T-TT-TrH rH 






4) 

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ij CI S 'CI S o -g c « 



T3 S 






. ,0 C S S SiljHTfl 
C Pi 4) 4) O <y-"H" -^ 

ca rt s 6'jg a;;];;] a a-g. 
'P.p,&ui:j'Mi« £8 8 « 
ts OS i «i « c.s.s 5i Sfl 



50 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

The 10 per cent increase for length of service is computed 
from date of acceptance of appointment. Officers are entitled 
to count their full time as officers of Volunteers, or as enlisted 
men, Regular or Volunteer, or as Cadets at the Military Acad- 
emy, in computing their service for longevity pay. 

An officer on duty without troops at a station where there 
are no public quarters, or where the public quarters are inade- 
quate, is entitled to commutation therefor at established rates. 

Officers entitled to commutation of quarters will receive 
payment therefor at the rate of $12 per month per room. A 
lieutenant is entitled to two rooms, a captain to three, etc. 

Officers of the Army are entitled to a double berth in a 
sleeping car, or to the customary stateroom accommodations 
on steamers, where extra charge is made for the same, when 
traveling under orders with troops. 

When an officer travels without troops under orders, he is 
entitled to the following allowances: To mileage at the rate 
of seven cents per mile for the distance between the points 
named in the order, such distance to be computed over the 
shortest usually travelled route. 

In the following cases no expense of travel is allowed: In 
joining for duty upon first appointment to the military service, 
or under the first order after a reinstatement or reappoint- 
ment, or under an order to effect a transfer from one company 
or regiment to another, made at the request of the officers trans- 
ferred. Assistant surgeons, graduates of the Military Academy, 
and officers appointed from the ranks, joining under first order 
after appointment or commission, are excepted from these 
provisions. 

The baggage of a second lieutenant to be transported at 
public expense^ including mess chests and personal baggage, up- 



in the United States Army. 61 

on change of station, will not exceed 1,500 pounds. This allow- 
ance is in excess of the weights transported free of charge un- 
der the regular fares by public carriers. When embarking un- 
der orders for extended service over the sea for duty, the al- 
lowance of baggage to be transported by the quartermaster's 
department from initial point to port of embarkation and from 
port of destination to garrison station will be three times this 
allowance. This allowance will be carried over the seas, by 
order of the War Department, on Government transports. The 
field allowance is 150 pounds. 

Officers when traveling to and from Cuba and Porto Rico, 
in the Atlantic, and the Hawaiian, Philippine, and other islands 
in the Pacific Ocean, under orders and without troops, will be 
allowed actual expenses only, an itemized statement of which 
must be filed with each voucher for payment. 

PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF ENLISTED MEN. 

All soldiers receive from the Government (in addition to 
their pay) rations, clothing, bedding, medicines, and medical 
attendance. 



62 



A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 






i-HO -f 




C^ a 
S 5 01 fc 

fJ V- 1. !2 o ^ 



?? I r^ "J " rt "^^t 



•-W CJ **;; Gl <U flj 






4; 



TS S X 4J 
1- O O-l 



in the United States Army. 63 

To the above rates of pay add $2.00 per month for the sixth 
year of continuous service, an additional dollar per month for 
the eleventh, sixteenth, twenty-first, twenty-sixth, and thirty- 
first year of continuous service. Example. — Pay of a private 
soldier per month: First and second years, $13; third year, 
$14; fourth year, $15; fifth year, $16; sixth year, $18; eleventh 
year, $19; sixteenth year, $20; twenty-first year, $21; twenty- 
sixth year, $22. 

Soldiers serving in Porto Rico, Cuba, Alaska, Hawaiian 
Islands, and Philippine Islands are entitled to 20 per cent added 
to the above pay. 

Enlisted men who have been honorably discharged from the 
Marine Corps and have enlisted in the Army within three 
months thereafter, are regarded as having been continuously in 
the service, and entitled to all the advantages it confers under 
the laws. 

When the soldier is able and willing to serve out his term, 
but has had his service closed or interrupted by the action of 
the Government, as in case of supernumeraries, etc., and he is 
then re-enlisted within three months after discharge, he is en- 
titled to the increase after five years' service. 

An enlisted man when discharged from the service, except 
by way of punishment for an offense, shall receive four cents 
per mile from the place of his discharge to the place of his en- 
listment, enrollment, or original muster into the service, ex- 
cept that for sea travel on discharge to, from, or between our 
island possessions transportation and subsistence only shall be 
furnished him. Enlisted men who are discharged In order to 
enable them to accept commissions in the Army are not en- 
titled to travel pay. 



54 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

A soldier will not be entitled to travel pay when dis- 
charged : 

(1) On account of promotion. 

(2) On his own application, whether by way of favor, by 
purchase, or as a veteran. 

(3) While in the hands of the civil authorities under sen- 
tence of imprisonment. 

(4) By way of punishment for an offense. 

A soldier can deposit his savings in sums not less than five 
dollars with any Army paymaster, and for sums so deposited for 
a period of six months or longer, on his final discharge, will be 
paid interest at the rate of 4 per cent per annum. These 
deposits are non-forfeitable except for desertion. 

By care and economy a soldier can save a considerable sum 
from his clothing allowance, payable to him on his discharge. 

In time of peace, a soldier serving in the second year or 
first six months of the third year of his enlistment may apply to 
the Adjutant-General of the Army, through military channels, 
for the privilege of purchasing his discharge; but such appli- 
cation will not be entertained unless based on satisfactory reas- 
ons fully set forth by the applicant and verified by the officer 
forwarding the application, nor unless accompanied by a state- 
ment of the soldier's immediate commanding officer showing 
the condition of his accounts. If such application be granted, 
the purchase price will be entered on the final statements as an 
item due the United States. A soldier once discharged by pur- 
chase will not be granted that favor a second time. A soldier 
serving in a second or any other enlistment, but not receiving 
continuous service or re-enlisted pay, is not debarred from dis- 
charge by purchase. The price in the first month of the second 
year will be $120, and will be $5 less in each succeeding month 
of the period during which purchase may be authorized. 



in the United States Army. 55 

CHAPTER IX. 
A FEW WORDS FROM A SOLDIER'S DICTIONARY. 

Blind. A fine imposed by a court-martial. 

Bobtail. An ordinary discharge certificate with the "char- 
acter" cut off. This form of discharge without "character" is 
no longer given. 

Bucking for orderly. The act of cleaning clothing and 
equipment preparatory to going on guard, with the view of 
being adjudged by the adjutant the cleanest man of all the 
details for guard duty, and, consequently, being selected as 
orderly for the commanding officer. 

Bunk fatigue. Lying on one's bunk during fatigue hours. 
Being on no duty. 

Bunkie. The soldier occupying the adjoining bunk. 

Butter chips. The mythical "checks" which recruits are 
often instructed by the old soldiers to demand of the "top 
sergeant." 

Button stick. A flat piece of metal or wood having a nar- 
row slit in the center into which buttons are run in order that 
they may be cleaned without soiling the garment to which they 
are attached. 

Canteen checks. Brass checks having a purchasing power 
at the post canteen where they are issued. 

Chasing prisoners. Being on guard over prisoners at work. 

Coffee-cooler. A soldier who seeks and performs duties 
that excuse him from the usual, or military, duties of a soldier. 

Coffee money. Money paid soldiers in lieu of the coffee 
ration when traveling and it being impracticable to furnish 
them with liquid coffee. 

Come and get it. A soldier cook's words to notify his com- 
rades that the meal hour has arrived. 



56 A Mmiual for Aspirants for Commissions 

Commission-bucker. An aspirant for shoulder-straps; a 
candidate for a commission. 

Cook's police. Men detailed to assist the cook. 

Cracker line. The line of communication with the base of 
supplies. Sometimes applied to the transportation used to 
bring up the provisions, or commissaries. 

Dadiac: A liquid used for polishing leather equipments. 
It was well known to the "old army," but is now seldom used. 
To polish with dadiac. 

Dog-robber. A soldier who works for an officer. See 
striker. 

Dough-boy. An infantry soldier. See mud-splaslier. 

Duty sergeant. A company sergeant other than the first 
sergeant or quartermaster sergeant. 

Fatigue. Work. Any duties of the nature of manual 
labor. 

Feed. Food; victuals. To eat. 

Finals. Money due a soldier from the Government at the 
date of his discharge. 

Gun. Rifle or carbine. 

Hand-shaker. See coffee-cooler. 

Hardtack. Hard bread. The crackers issued by the com- 
missary department as the bread component of the field ration. 

Heel-ball. A wax-like substance used for polishing leather 
or stocks of rifles. 

Hero stories. Tales of reminiscences as told by men re- 
turning from active service. 

Hike. March. To march in the field; to campaign. 

Hold up your hand. To enlist. See take on. 

Jawbone. Credit. 

Juniper. A civilian. Any person not in the military 
service. 



in the United States Army. 57 

Kitchen police. See coolers police, 

K. O. The commanding officer. 

Lance-jack. A lance corporal; an acting corporal. 

Leather-pounder. A cavalry or mounted soldier. 

Locker. A box or closet in which soldiers keep their extra 
clothing. 

Long Tom. The infantry rifle. 

Mess hall. A room in which a company or other organiza- 
tion eats its meals. 

Mill. The guard-house. A room or cell in which soldiers 
are confined as punishment for the commission of military of- 
fenses. 

Mud-splasher. A foot soldier. See dougli-hoy. 

Non-com. A non-commissioned officer. 

Old man. The commanding officer. 

Orderly-bucker. One who tries for orderly. See bucking 
for orderly. 

Orderly room. The company, troop, or battery office. 

Plum "duff." Plum pudding. Usually made with molasses 
as the sweetening ingredient. 

Police. To cleanse; to free from dirt. 

Pull-through. A strong string used for pulling rags through 
the bore of the rifle to clean it. 

Punk. Bread. 

Quarters. Barracks or officers' residences. 

Rear. A necessary outhouse. 

Rookey. A recruit. 

Room orderly. A soldier detailed to attend to the cleaning 
of the barracks or sauad rooms. His duties are to fill the 
lamps, build the fires, and see that the floors, walls and windows 
are clean. 



68 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

Shavey. An officer just appointed to the service. Usually- 
applied to the newest second lieutenant in the regiment. 

Short month. Every other month. So called because 25 
cents for the support of the Soldiers' Home is deducted from the 
soldier's pay. 

Slum. Irish stew. 

Spuds. Potatoes. 

Striker. A soldier employed by an officer as a sort of valet. 
See dog-rohber. 

Take on. The act of enlisting. See hold up your hwnd. 

Toad-sticker. A sword. 

Top sergeant. The first sergeant. 

Tripoli. A fine gritty powder, which, when mixed with 
vinegar or alcohol, is used to polish brass buttons and the brass 
parts of the equipments. 

Turn out. To appear outside the barracks or quarters for 
the performance of some military duty. 

Year and a butt. A year and a fraction of a year. A sol- 
dier who is starting on the second year of a three-year enlist- 
ment would say that he has a "year and a butt" yet to serve. 

Wagon soldier. Light batterymen. 

"WTiite money. Literally, silver money. The word is used 
by soldiers in contradistinction from canteen checks, which are 
made of brass. 

Within the limits. A soldier who re-enlists within three 
months from date of his discharge is said to have re-enlisted 
"within the limits." 



in the United States Army. 59 

APPENDIX A. 

QUESTIONS ASKED AT RECENT EXAMINATIONS. 

The following questions were asked at a recent examination 
of applicants for appointment to the United States Military 
Academy at West Point, New York. A fair idea of the char- 
acter and extent of these examinations may be obtained from 
them. It is well to warn the aspirant right here that these ex- 
aminations are always thorough, and it is useless for any per- 
son not thoroughly conversant with the subjects they embrace 
to appear before the examining boards: 

Reading, Writing, and Orthography. 

In reading, candidates must be able to read understandingly, 
with proper accent and emphasis. 

In writing and ortJiography, they must be able, from dicta- 
tion, to write sentences from standard pieces of English litera- 
ture, both prose and poetry, sufficient in number to test their 
Qualifications both in handwriting and orthography. They 
must also be able to write and spell correctly from dictation a 
certain number of standard test words. The following were 
given, at a recent examination: 

"There was no pursuit, though the sun was still high in the 
heaven when William crossed the Gette. The conquerors were 
so much exhausted by marching and fighting that they could 
scarcely move; and the horses were in even worse condition 
than the men. Their general thought it necessary to allow 
some time for rest and refreshment. The French nobles un- 
loaded their sumpter horses, supped gaily, and pledged one 
another in champagne amidst the heaps of dead; and, when 



60 



A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 



night fell, whole brigades gladly lay down to sleep in their 
ranks on the field of battle. The inactivity of Luxemburg did 
not escape censure. None could deny that he had in the action 
shown great skill and energy. But some complained that he 
wanted patience and perseverance. Others whispered that he 
had no wish to bring to an end a war which made him neces- 
sary to a Court where he had never, in time of peace, found 
favour or even justice. Lewis, who on this occasion was per- 
haps not altogether free from some emotions of jealousy, con- 
trived, it was reported, to mingle with the praise which he be- 
stowed on his lieutenant blame which, though delicately ex- 
pressed, was perfectly intelligible." 

"And what is home and where, but with the loving? 
Happy thou art, that so canst gaze on thine! 
My spirit feels but, in its weary roving, 
That with the dead, where 'er they be, is mine. 

"Go to thy home, rejoicing son and brother! 

Bear in fresh gladness to the household scene! 
For me, too, watch the sister and the mother, 
I will believe — but dark seas roll between." 



1. Abdicate. 

2. Abutted. 

3. Accessibility. 

4. Acclivity. 

5. Accosted. 

6. Acme. 

7. Bachelor. 
S. Compass. 



9. Derelict. 

10. Despondent. 

11. Disperse. 

12. Erase. 

13. Imperative. 

14. Kerosene. 

15. Mnemonics. 

16. Neuter. 



17. Orally. 

18. Preference. 

19. Presbyterian. 

20. Raisin. 

21. Salad. 

22. Tidiness. 

23. Triple. 

24. Villain. 



in the United States Army. 61 

Arithmetic. 

21 

1. How many sixteenths are there in ? 

8 

2. What is the difference in grains between 42 3-8 lbs. Av. 

and 42.375 lbs. T.? 

3. A bought 10 pears and 20 apples for 11 cents; at anothei 
time, when the prices were the same, he bought 20 pears and 10 
apples for 13 cents; what did he pay for each apple and pear? 

4. A is 49 years old at the time his three sons are 25, 20, 
and 16 years old, respectively. Find A's age at the time it is 
equal to the sum of the ages of his three sons. 

5. 472 is the greatest common divisor of two numbers, 
and 7 : 9 is their ratio in its simplest form; what are the 
numbers? 

6. A wheel with 35 cogs works into a small wheel witir26 
cogs; in how many revolutions of the larger wheel will the 
smaller one gain 10 revolutions? 

7. A gun is fired 36 times before a second gun begins, 
after which the first is fired 8 times while the second is fired 
7 times; but the second requires the same amount of powder 
for 3 shots that the first requires for 4. When both guns have 
used up the same amount of pov/der, how many shots have been 
fired from each? 

8. A, B, C, and D, working, one at a time, do a certain 
work in 130 days. A gets 42 cents, B gets 45 cents, C gets 48 
cents, and D gets 50 cents for each day's work. Each received 
the same amount. How many days did each work? 

9. Having 300 barrels of fiour worth $7.50 per barrel, and 
800 barrels worth $7.80 per barrel, and 400 barrels worth $7.65 
per barrel, how many more barrels of fiour at $8.00 and $8.50 
per barrel will make 2,000 barrels worth $7.85 a barrel? 



62 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

Grammar. 

Correct all the errors in the following sentences: 

1. Who of all men in the world do you think I saw? 

2. He or you or I are expected. 

3. You may do what you have done a century ago. 

4. I found him better than I expected to have found him. 

5. The following facts may be or have been adduced as 
reasons. 

6. We have brought you back peace; such a peace which, 
I hope, will satisfy our sovereign. 

7. Repetition is to be preferred before obscurity. 

8. They have no other object but to come. 

9. London is more crowded than any city in England. 

10. Except you go with me, I shall stay at home. 

11. He was illy equipped for the journey. 

12. I prefer to wait for him than to go alone. 

13. He struck me as I was jumping in the sleigh. 

14. Irving and Macaulay's style are different. 

15. Where will you find such another instance? 

16. I like it the best of any machine I have seen. 

17. Stand on the desk so as all can see you. 

18. The committee who drafted the report was composed 
of six members. 

19. I have every confidence in his honesty. 

20. He must have fired not less than six shots at it. 

I. Give the principal parts (present tense, past tense, and 
past participle) of the following verbs: 1. hear (to carry); 
2. heset; 3. hid; 4. hurst; 5. draw; 6. fall; 7. forhear; 
8. forsake; 9. hide; 10. lie (to recline); 11. rid; 12. sit; 
13. swear; 14. tear; 15. wi'ii. 



in the United States Army. 63 

II. Write the plurals of the following words: 1. medley; 
2. money; 3. colony; 4. alkali; 5. buffalo; 6. 3; 7. canto; 

8. solo; 9. James; 10. i/m Smith; 11. #/iief; 12. &otic?- 
woman; 13. Titrcomen; 14. going-out; 15. parentliesls. 

III. Write the feminine forms of the following words: 
1. Jejt-; 2. 7iero; 3. man-servant; 4. Mroii; 5. viscount; 
6. aniMssador; 7. votary; 8. testator; 9. eo/-?; 10. fi'pa;i- 
ir/r(f; 11. Frenchman; 12. emperor; 13. 7«o>-se; 14. ra/H; 
15. mayor. 

IV. Write the possessive case of the following words: 
1. c/^J7(Z; 2. woman; 3. house; 4. /; 5. s/jeep (plural); 
6. James; 7. court-martial; 8. Lo/-{f Mayor of London; 

9. Ff«r?/ #7te Eighth; 10. ire. 

V. Define «- Clause; 2. Define ft Phrase; 3. Define Per- 
.sc;?a? Pronouns; 4. Define Relative Pronouns; 5. Define a Con- 
junction; 6. Define « Proposition. 

Geography. 

1. Define a diameter of a sphere. What is the length of 
the earth's axis; of its circumference? 

2. Define an island, isthmus, bay. 

3. What oceanic waters bound North America? Name all 
the channels by which that to the north is connected to the 
other two, on the east, on the west. 

4. What is the language principally spoken in Mexico? 
Name the capital city of the country, in what State is it? 
Name two States contiguous to this one. 

5. Name in order the countries that would be passed in 
going along the coast of South America from the mouth of the 
Amazon to the Isthmus of Panama, the capital of each. Name 
the two largest rivers of the section and State where they 
empty. 



6 4 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

6. Name in order the countries passed to the right in 
going along the western coast of the continent of Europe from 
the Strait of Gibraltar to Copenhagen. Name the capital of 
each. 

7. What countries constitute the Scandinavian Peninsula? 
Name in continuous order the waters that bound it. 

8. Locate definitely the following cities of the British 
Isles, stating upon what waters situated, if any: Portsmouth, 
Queenstown, Liverpool, Edinburgh. 

9. Name the subdivision of Asiatic Russia and state in 
consecutive order the political divisions of Asia that touch the 
Black and Caspian seas. 

10. Name in consecutive order the political divisions of 
Asia that touch the Chinese empire on the south and west. 

11. Name the provinces of Australia, the capital of each; 
which three provinces form the eastern part of the country? 

12. Name in consecutive order the divisions of Africa 
bordering on the coast between Suez and Cape Guardafui; 
name in order the waters touching this coast. 

13. Give the directions of the following islands from some 
well-defined point of the nearest continent: Mauritius, Tas- 
mania, Formosa, Ascencion. 

14. Name in consecutive order the divisions of Canada 
which lie along our northern border east from Duluth; locate 
the capital of each. 

15. Name in consecutive order from south to north the 
States along the Atlantic coast. 

16. Name in consecutive order the States that touch the 
Pacific and the States and Territories that touch Mexico. 

17. In following the Mississippi from St. Paul to New 
Orleans, what States are passed to the left. 



in the United States Army. 65 

18. Name in consecutive order the States that touch the 
Great Lakes. 

19. Name in continuous order the States and Territories 
touched by the main chain of the Rocky Mountains. 

20. Bound the following States: South Carolina, Nebras- 
ka, Ohio, and Idaho. All contiguous States must be named in 
bounding. 

21. Name the three most important seaports of the Gulf, 
three of the Atlantic Coast, south of Cape Hatteras. 

22. Give the eastern and western terminal of the trunk 
line of railway embracing the Union and Central Pacific roads; 
name the States traversed by this line. 

23. Name and locate definitely the capitals of the following 
States: North Carolina, Maine, Illinois, Pennsylvania, North 
Dakota, Washington. State upon what waters situated, if any. 

24. The Meridian of Cincinnati passes through what 
States? 

History. 

1. What explorations or discoveries did each of the follow- 
ing-named persons make? Give the date in each case. cr. De 
Narvaez. &. Coronado. c. Marquette, d. La Salle. 

2. Name three colonies that were founded for religious 
reasons and give the sect or denomination by which each was 
colonized. ho/xi ■-v.^j 1%-lc-u^^- ^'tc-.^.A^^-;?;, >H^'--;^;- .. ...,.u.?4=>j- 

3. Who were the Pilgrims? '^ 

4. When and under what circumstances was Delaware 
separated from Pennsylvania? 9/' 

5. Give an account of Bacon's Rebellion. ^ ''■ ^ 

6. When and where did each of the following events occur? ■•,^.ij-,^7 
a. Meeting of the first Colonial Congress; 6. Burgoyne's sur- x^ojtn 
render; c. Arnold's treason. cjj^h'7/: 



66 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

7. Name some important results of each of the following 
battles of the Revolutionary War: a. Long Island; b. Tren- 
ton; c. Brandy wine. 

8. Name four additiojis to the Territory of the United 
States since the Revolutionary War, and give the way each hi^s 
been acquired. 






nJ 



9. Bound the Territory of the United States at the close 
of the Revolutionary War. ,. ., 

10. What was the "Massacre of Wyoming"? -Ju'^ < 

11. When, where and for what purpose did the Consti- 
tutional Convention meet? What resulted from its delibera- 
tions? f-'-^h^^^-^'^ ^e(^ v.--;-- 

12. What was the "Whiskey Insurrection"? / 1 ^H 

13. What were the "Alien and Sedition" laws? What was 
their effect? ' ^? ^ 1 

^^ ) 14. When and where was the last battle of the war of 
^ \S'^1812 fought? Name the commanders on each side. r^T^ ^'-.t-.'S^ 

15. What were the two principal political parties "in i860? 

16. With what foreign nations had the United States un- 
friendly relations during and at the close of the Civil War? 
Give the cause in each case? r}^,^--- 

17. Name, with date, three important military events of 
1865. 

18. What Vice-Presidents have become President? Name 
the predecessor in each case. 

19. Give an account of the "Tirgiuius affair." 

20. In what war were the following fought? What were 
the opposing forces? Which side . won? a. Ticonderoga. 
1). Monterey, c. Saratoga, d. Stony Point, e. Spottsylvania. 
f. Lundy's Lane. 



P\p{^ Their candidates for the Presidency? Their leading doctrines 
'' ci' on the slavery question? Parties? Candidates? Principles? 



in the United States Army. 6T 

APPENDIX B. 

LAW AUTHORIZING THE PROMOTION OP ENLISTED 
MEN, AND LIST OF QUESTIONS ASKED CANDIDATES 
AT A RECENT EXAMINATION. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress dssembled. That the 
President be, and he is hereby, authorized to prescribe a system 
of examination of enlisted men of the Army, by such boards 
as may be established by him, to determine their fitness for 
promotion to the grade of second lieutenant: 

Provided, That all unmarried soldiers under thirty years 
of age, who are citizens of the United States, are physically 
sound, who have served honorably not less than two years in 
the Army, and who have borne a good moral character before 
and after enlistment, may compete for promotion under any 
system authorized by this act. 

Section 2. That the members and recorder of such boards 
as may be established by the President, under the provisions 
of the preceding section, shall be sworn in every case to dis- 
charge their duties honestly and faithfully; and the boards 
may examine witnesses, and take depositions, for which pur- 
poses they shall have such powers of a court of inquiry as may 
be necessary. 

Section 3. That the vacancies in the grade of second lieu- 
tenant heretofore filled by promotion of meritorious non-com- 
missioned officers of the Army, under the provisions of Section 
three of the act approved June 18, 1878, shall be filled by the 
appoinment of competitors favorably recommended under this 
act, in order of merit established by the final examination. 
Each man who passes the final examination shall receive a 



68 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

certificate of eligibility, setting forth the subjects in which he 
is proficient and the especial grounds upon which the recom- 
mendation is based: Provided, That not more than two exam- 
inations shall be accorded the same competitor. 

Section 4. That all rights and privileges arising from a 
certificate of eligibility may be vacated by sentence of a court- 
martial, but no soldier, while holding the privileges of a cer- 
tificate, shall be brought before a garrison or regimental court- 
martial or summary court. 

Section 5. That sections three and four of the act ap- 
proved June 18, 1878, providing for the promotion of merito- 
rious non-commissioned officers, be, and the same are hereby, 
repealed. 

Approved June 30, 1892. 

List of Questions Aslced Candidates at a Recent Examination. 
No candidate will be passed by the board who shall not 
have attained an average of 65 per cent in each subject of the 
examination and a general average of at least 70 per cent. 
English Crrammar. 

1. What are the four divisions of English grammar? 

2. How many parts of speech are there in the English 
language? Define them. 

3. Define analysis. 

4. What are the principal elements of a sentence called? 
Define them. 

5. Analyze the following sentence: "The boy stood on 
the burning deck, .whence all but him had fled." 

6. Parse the words of the above sentence. 

7. Parse the words in the following sentence: "The army 
crossed the river by a bridge of pontoon boats." 



in the United States Army. 69 

8. Analyze the above sentence. 

9. Parse the underscored words of the following sen- 
tence: '"When my time was expired, I worked my passage 
home; and glad I was to see Old England again, because I love 
my country." 

10. Quotation from William Cullen Bryant, as an exami- 
nation in dictation, orthography, and penmanship. 

AiWimetic. 

1. If a family by using two gas burners ly^ hours a day, 
pays $6.00 a quarter when gas is $2.40 per 1,000 cu. ft, what will 
a family using three burners four hours a day pay per quarter 
when gas is $1.80 per 1,000 cu. ft? 

2. ((/) Extract the cube root of 1250.6894. (6) Extract 
the cube root of 7-8. 

3. (a) What principal will produce in two years $650.14, 
compound interest at 6%? 

4. A banker has in his safe the following note: A note 
for $1670.50, dated July 1, 1884, payable on demand with in- 
terest at 61/^ %, bears the following indorsements: August 20, 
$315; September 21, $360.50; October 5, $400; December 1, $160. 
What is due January 1, 1885? 

5. (a) What is meant by the least common multiple? 
{!)) Determine the least common multiple of 6, 15, 85, 42, and 
70. (c) Determine the least common multiple of 16, 40, 96, 
and 105. 

6. (a) Change 11-13 into a fraction whose numerator 
shall be 17. (&) Change 7-19 into a fraction whose numerator 
shall be 27. (c) Change 9-31 into a fraction whose numer- 
ator shall be 33. 

7. A tailor made three suits of clothes: for the first ho 



70 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

used 2l^ yards of broadcloth, 3 1-16 yards of cassimere, % 
yards of satin; for the second suit, 2.25 yards of broadcloth, 
2.875 yards of cassimere, and 1 yard of satin; for the third 
suit, 5 1-16 yards of broadcloth, and 1% yards of satin. How 
many yards of each kind of cloth did he use? How many 
yards of all? 

8. A building contractor has the following tasks to exe- 
cute; make the required calculations for him: (a) How many 
perches of masonry in the wall of a cellar which is 20 feet 
square on the inside, 8 feet high, and 1^^ feet in thickness? 
(b) How many shingles will it take to cover the roof of a 
building 46 feet long, each of the two sides of the roof being 
20 feet wide, allowing each shingle to be 4 in. wide and to lie 
5 in. to the weather? (c) What will it cost to build a wall 
240 feet long, 6 feet high and 3 feet thick, at $3.25 per 1000 
brick, each brick being 8 in. long, 4 in. wide, and 2 in. thick? 

9. If I sell $25,000.00 U. S. 5-20's of 1882 at 93% %, and 
invest a sufficient amount of the proceeds in U. S. 6's at 109^ % 
to yield an annual income of $960.00, and buy a house with 
the remainder, how much will the house cost me? 

10. When it was 1 o'clock a. m., January 1, 1983, at 
Bangor, Maine, 68° 47' west, what was the time at the City of 
Mexico, 99* 5' west? 

11. (a) A grocer bought 40 quarts of milk by beer meas- 
ure and sold it by wine measure; how many quarts did he 
gain? (6) A bushel (or 32 quarts dry measure) contains how 
many more cubic inches than 32 quarts wine measure? 

12. (a) Reduce 10 oz. 13 pwt. 9 gr. to the decimal of a 
pound Troy. (&) Reduce 4% feet to the decimal of a fathom, 
(f) Reduce 150 sheets of paper to the decimal of a ream. 



in the United States Army. Tl 

Algebra. 

1. What is the reciprocal of an algebraic quantity? What 
the reciprocal of a; — m; — d; v + z — 2? 

2. Reduce to lowest terms the following: 

What the reciprocal of a; — m; — d; v -\' z — 2 ? 
2. Reduce to lowest terms the following : 

a^c + 2adc + b^c {Sx^ — 1) {2x^ — l)-x^ {hx^ - 7) 



a3 + 3a«^ + Ub^ + b^ {Sx^ — l)^ -^ [x^ - (x^ - 3x)' 

From 4a — db Sa — b 

d. take 



labia - b)— 2){a^ — b^) '6ab{a -}- b) — 2{a^ + b') 

fa + 1 b-\-l c-\-i d+1 

\ a b c d 

4. Simplify ■{ 

' cd ab 



t C'\- d a + b 

5. Find the value of x in the following: 

2Ax — .12 4.Qx — 3.6 S4x — .048 

2.8 4 7 

6. A crew which can row at the rate of 12 miles an hour in 
still water, finds that it takes 7 hours to come up a river a 
certain distance, and 5 hours to go down again. At what rate 
does the river flow? 

Logarithms. 

1. What is a logarithm; the mantissa; the arithmetical 
complement? 

2. Using logarithms, divide 24163 by 4567; 37.149 by 523.76. 

3. Using logarithms, find the 7th power of 8. 



72 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 



Geometry. 

1. Upon what does the size of an angle depend? What 
are exterior angles? Alternate interior angles? Corresponding 
angles? Draw a diagram showing these angles. 

2. On a circle 3 inches in diameter indicate the follow- 
ing: The circumference; the center; an arc; a radius; a diam- 
eter; a chord; a tangent; a secant; and describe them. 

3. Theorem: — An angle formed by two secants meeting 
without the circle is measured by one-half the difference of the 
intercepted arcs. Draw diagram and demonstrate fully. 

4. Theorem: — An exterior angle of a triangle is equal to 
the sum of the two interior non-adjacent angles. Draw dia- 
gram and demonstrate fully. 

Trigonometry. 

1. At the center of a circle 3 inches in diameter draw an 
angle A, and then add lines to show the following trigonomet- 
rical functions: Sin. A; Cosin. A; tangent A; cotangent A; 
secant A; cosecant A; Versin« A; and Coversin. A. 

2. Theorem: — The sides of a plane triangle are propor- 
tional to the sines of their opposite angles. Draw diagram and 
demonstrate. 

3. What is a table of logarithmic sines? Determine the 
tangent of 37° 28' 31". Determine the arc answering to cosine 
9.944599. 

Surveying. 

1. What is meant by a true meridian? Describe briefly the 
method by which it is determined. 

2. Describe levelling. 



in the United States Army. 73 

3. With a surveyor's diain 4 inches too long a man com- 
putes the area of a tract of land to be 65 A. 2 R. 11 P. Find the 
correct area. 

4. Compute by method of Double Meridian Distance the 
area of the following compass survey: 



station. 


Bearing-. 


Distance. 


1. 


N. 311/2° W. 


10.40 chains 


3. 


S. 36°E. 


7.60 chains 


2. 


N. 62°E. 


9.20 chains 


4. 


s. 451/2° W. 

Geography. 


10.00 chains 



1. Name the Great Lakes. What one lies wholly within 
the United States. 

2. Name the States that border on the Atlantic; the Pa- 
cific; Gulf of Mexico. 

3. Through what waters would you pass going by steamer 
from Pittsburg, Pa., to Galveston, Texas? From Duluth, Minn., 
to Boston, Mass.? 

4. Name the capitals of the following States; and if on a 
river, give its name: Virginia, Alabama, Wisconsin, New Jer- 
sey, Missouri, New York, Oregon, Kentucky, Minnesota, Texas, 
South Carolina, and Ohio. 

5. Bound the States of Tennessee and Nevada; Nebraska 
and Alabama. 

6. Name the States of Central America and their capitals. 

7. Name the continents. What portion of the Earth's sur- 
face is land and what water? ^ 

8. What island off the east coast of Africa? Name five 
rivers in Europe. 



74 A Manual for Aspiranis for Commissions 

9. Name the transcontinental railways of the United 
States. 

10. Where are the Alps mountains? Great Salt Lake? and 
the Aleutian Islands? 

Eisiory. 

1. What are the three divisions of history? What period 
of history is called the Dark Ages, and why so called? 

2. What can you tell of the feudal system? Tell all you 
know about the Crusades. 

3. Who was Cyrus the Great? Alexander the Great? 
Hannibal? Napoleon? 

4. Name some event in connection with the life of each. 

5. What do you know of the Thirty Years' War? Who 
was William the Conqueror? Name two campaigns of Napo- 
leon the Great. 

6. Give some event occurring in the following dates: 1588; 
1618; 1815; 1846; and 1876. When was America first discov- 
ered? Who were the Mound Builders? Who was De Soto? 
Henry Hudson? Ponce de Leon? Tell what you can of the 
French and Indian War. 

7. Name the thirteen original States. What were the 
causes of the Revolutionary War? Give the dates of the be- 
ginning and end. Name five battles. 

8. What were the causes of the War of 1812? Name three 
battles of the Mexican War. Name two generals of the United 
States during this war. Name in order the first five Presidents. 

9. What was the cause of the Civil War? Give the date of 
its beginning and end. Name six battles and the victorious 
force of each. When was the Constitution adopted and when 
did it go into operation? 



in the United States Army. 75 

10. Name five important events in the history of the United 
States during the last ten years. What territory was purchased 
by the United States in 1867? 

Constitutional Late. 

1. What is the preamble to the Constitution? 

2. How are congressional representatives chosen, and for 
how long? 

3. How are vacancies filled? 

4. How are senators elected? 

5. How are United States judgeships filled, and for how 



long 



6. What constitutes treason against the United States? 

7. What States were represented in the body that framed 
the Constitution? 

8. How may the Constitution be amended? 

9. What is the supreme law of the land? 

10. How may, or shall, the president, vice-president, and 
all civil officers of the United States be removed from office for 
treason, bribery, and other high crimes and misdemeanors? 

Inte>'*national Late. 

1. What is International Law? 

2. What is a sovereign State according to the interpreta- 
tion of International Law? 

3. What is Martial Law? 

4. What is war? 

5. To whom, in every civilized nation, does the right to 
declare war belong? 

6. What is meant by the term "contraband of war"? 

7. What is a siege; a blockade? 



76 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

8. What is meant by the term "parole"? 

9. What is a cartel? 

10. What is the extent of maritime territory, in a national 
sense? 

Army Regulations. 

1. What is said in relation to obedience to lawful orders? 
How is military authority exercised? 

2. What is military rank? How is relative rank deter- 
mined between officers of the same grade and date of appoint- 
ment, other than promotion through seniority? 

3. What are the different Avays, and by whom can enlisted 
men be discharged? 

4. Describe the flag of the United States. How are changes 
made in it, and when does any change take effect? 

5. What honors are paid to the flag by armed bodies? 
What by individual officers and enlisted men? What by the 
same when not armed? 

6. What is a roster? What details for duty are made by 
roster? 

7. What constitute the books and records of a company of 
Infantry? 

8. Describe the military courtesy between officers meeting, 
and in making and receiving official reports. 

9. What is a national salute? Salute to the Union? When 
is the latter fired and what does it constitute? 

10. What are the rules with reference to saluting the 
President with cannon? 



in the United States Army. 77 



APPENDIX C. 

QUESTIONS ASKED CANDIDATES FROM CIVIL LIFE AT 
A RECENT EXAMINATION. 

English Grammar. 

1. What is a noun and for what are they inflected? 

2. Give the feminine form of the following: Giant; am- 
bassador; sorcerer; hero; testator; dog; Englishman; peacock; 
conductor; he-bear; duke; traitor; sultan; mankind; bachelor; 
beau. 

3. Write the plurals of the following: Bandit; court- 
martial; die; motto; lasso; fairy; monkey; wolf; belief; axis; 
man-of-war; pailful; Norman; tooth-brush; focus; datum; in- 
dex; Henry; staff; oasis. 

4. Write the possessive case of the following: We; 
women; Charles; they; prince; man-of-war; Frederick the 
Great; sons. 

5. What is a verb? 

6. Give the present tense, past tense, and past participle 
of the following verbs: Steal; tear; fight; loose; smell; lead; 
catch; crow; eat; freeze; knit; let; mow; slay; throw; stick; 
fly; love; sit; burst; lie (to recline). 

7. What is an adjective and how are they compared? 

8. Compare the following: Bad; little; much; honest; 
many; strong; beautiful. 

9. What is the subject of a sentence? What is the predi- 
cate? 

10. Give an example of a regular verb, irregular verb, 
transitive verb, intransitive verb, and neuter verb. 



78 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

il. Parse the following: (1) Halt! Who is there? (2) Be- 
ware, lest evil result. (3) He is learning to write. (4) Do 
you wish him gone? (5) I am he. (6) He gave me a watch. 
(7) Boys love to play. (8) Whom have ye there? 

12. Correct all errors in the following sentences: 

1. Choose between these four houses. 

2. He jumped in a cab. 

3. They were very respected. 

4. Ask that man, he who stands by the window. 

5. Are either of these places marked on the map? 

6. You can hardly find a more universal blunder. 

7. I found it harder than I thought it would have been. 

8. I have written to him so that he might be ready for us. 

9. There is both a large and small dictionary in the room. 

Arithmetic. 

1. Multiply 242.0203 by 0.00203. 

2. Divide 0.00203 by 0.000203. 

3. Multiply 3 5-6 by 5 2-7. 

4. Divide 5 2-7 by 3 5-6. 

5. Reduce the following to a decimal: 

fi of 214 



4 -r I X 6,^ 

6. Find the least common multiple of 6, 7, 9, 24, and 32. 

7. How many cords in a pile of wood 7 ft. high, 8 ft. wide, 
and 44 ft. long? 

8. What time elapsed from November 8th, 11 o'clock a. m. 
1847, till December 16th, 4 o'clock p. m., 1850? 

9. The longitude of New York is 74° 1' west, and of Phila- 



m tlie United States Army. 79 

delphia 75° 10' west. What o'clock is it at Philadelphia when 
it Is noon at New York? 

10. If three cats kill three rats in three minutes, how many 
cats will kill 100 rats in 100 minutes? 

Algeln^a. 

1. Divide (x + y)' 4- 3(x + y)^z -f 3{x + y)z^ -f z^ by Cx + 

y)- + 2(x-f y)z -I- z2. 

2. Find value of x in 5(x — 2)^ + T(x — 3)« = (3x — 7)(4x. 

— 19) + 42. 

3. Find highest common factor of 3x3 _|_ q^s _ 24 x, and 

6x3 _ 9^x. 

4. Find least common multiple of a^ — a -20, and a* -|- a -12. 

5. Reduce to lowest terms 

X 4- y 



(x + y) (y — y) 

., 1 
6 Simplify 1 

7. Solve this : (x -a) (x -b) = (x -a -b)^ 

8. A fraction which is equal to 2-3 is increased to 8-11 
when a certain number is added to both its numerator and de- 
nominator, and is diminished to 5-9 v/hen one more than the 
same number is subtracted from each. What is the fraction? 

9. A boatman rows 30 miles (down stream and back) in 
12 hours. He finds he can row 5 miles with the stream in the 
same time as 3 against it. Find the time he was rowing up 
stream and time down stream. 



80 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

Geometry. 

1. What is a line? 

2. What is an angle? 

3. Explain and illustrate how to bisect an angle. 

4. Explain and illustrate how to construct an angle equal 
to a given angle. 

5. Explain and illustrate how to erect a perpendicular to 
a line from without. 

6. Explain and illustrate how to erect a perpendicular to 
a line at its extremity when the line cannot be produced. 

7. What is an equilateral triangle and what is the value, 
in degrees, of each of its angles? What is an isosceles triangle? 

8. Explain and illustrate how to .divide a line 3 inches 
long into 7 equal parts. 

9. Demonstrate and explain fully the following theorem: 
Through any three points not in the same straight line one 
circumference may be made to pass. 

10. What is the sum of the interior ang*s of a polygon 
equal to? What is the sum of the interior angles of a polygon 
having 7 sides? 

11. Find the circumference of a circle whose radius is 3 
feet. 

12. What is the area of a triangle equal to? 

13. The distance of a chord, 8 feet long, from the center of 
a circle is 3 feet. What is the diameter of the circle? 

14. What is the measure of an inscribed angle? 

15. What is the size, in degrees, of the largest angle that 
can be inscribed in an arc of 135? 

Trigonometry and Logarithms. 

1. As an angle varies, which changes the more rapidly, 
cos, 10 or cos. 80? 



in tJie United States Army. 



81 




Given A 27° 34', B 30°, and side 
5 ft 325 ft; find C, g, and i. 
3. Given a 43 yds., & 55 yds., and angle C 110 degrees; find 
the remaining parts of the triangle by using logarithms. 




4. Prove that the area of any plane triangle is equal to 
half the rectangle of any two sides multiplied by the sine of 
their included angle. 

5. Given a 32.244 yds., h 49 yds., c 32° 18' 10" find B and 
side c (by logarithms). (See Fig. 2.) 

6. Find the number whose logarithm is ^A of this loga- 
rithm—namely, 3.0214. 

7. Multiply 1.34621 by 0.8. 

8. What is the A. C. of 8.20345? 

9. What is the base of the Common System of Logarithms? 

10. Show graphically, ^ine, co-sine, versine, co-verisine, 
tangent, co-tangent, secant, co-secant. 

Surveying. 

1. Construct (roughly) a scale of 6.336 inches to 1 mile to 
read paces of 31 inches. 

2. Explain how to adjust the needle of a compass. 

3. How is the surveyor's chain folded and opened. 

4. Explain how to chain up a hill. 

5. What is a plumb line? A bubble tube? 



82 A Manual for Aspirants far Commissions 

6. Explain how to make the plane of the plate bubbles of 
the transit perpendicular to the vertical axis. 

7. Explain how to make the axis of the bubble tube of the 
Wye level parallel to the line of collimation. 

8. Explain how to find the difference of level between two 
points, using the Wye level, 

9. The declination of a compass is 8° east. The true bear- 
ing of a line is N. 42° W. Explain how to set out this line with 
the compass. 

10. Explain how to measure a horizontal angle with the 
transit. A vertical angle. 

Geography. 

1. Name the States on the left bank of the Mississippi? 

2. In traveling from New York City to San Francisco by 
the S. P. Railway, what roads would you travel over, and 
through what States and Territories would you pass? 

3. What rivers and mountains would you cross in going 
overland from the City of Mexico to New York? 

4. Name the Territories of the United States; give the 
number of States? 

5. What is the capital of the Dominion of Canada, and 
how could you reach it by water from Duluth ? 

6. In going from the mouth of the Mississippi to the head 
of navigation on the Missouri River, what cities would you pass; 
what States on the left bank of each river? 

7. Where is the Orinoco River? 

8. What river separates France from Germany? Its direc- 
tion? 

9. What large river flows into the Caspian Sea? 

10. What large river flows into the Black Sea? 



\ 



in the United States Army. 63 

11. Into what does the Rhone flow? 

12. What large islands in the Mediterranean Sea? 

13. What large islands north of Scotland? 

14. What are zones? 

15. What are the zones on the earth's surface, and how 
are they limited? 

16. What are the grand divisions on the earth's surface? 

17. What is a sea? Where is the Black Sea? 

18. What waters separate the British Isles from the Con- 
tinent? 

19. What is a cape? Where are capes Sable and St. 
Roque? 

20. What cape lies at the southern extremity of South 
America? 

21. What is an isthmus? What isthmus connects Asia 
and Africa? 

22. What river separates Kentucky from Ohio? 

23. How do you go by water from Chicago to New York 
City? 

24. Bound the United States and North America. 

25. Give the capitals of each State and Territory. 

26. State the prominent capes on the Atlantic coast of the 
U. S. On the Pacific Coast. 

27. State likewise the bays and gulfs. 

28. State likewise the peninsulas. 

29. Where is Cape Guardafui? Northeast? Verde? 

30. Where is the river Nile? Rhine? Volga? 

31. Where is Madagascar? Borneo? Iceland? 

32. What seas north of Europe? South? 

33. Name the principal rivers flowing into the Mississippi 
river from the east. From the west. 



84 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

34. What are the principal mountains east of the Missis- 
sippi River? 

35. What is a strait? Where are the Straits of Mackinac? 

36. Bound the following States, and name and locate their 
capitals: Arkansas; California; Georgia; New Hampshire; 
Tennessee. 

37. How do you go from Omaha to Pittsburg by water, 
and what States do you pass on both sides? 

38. What large river in Africa? Its course? 

39. Name and locate the Great Deserts. 

History. 

1. Who was Alexander the Great? When did he live? 
Who succeeded him? 

2. Mention six names famous in Greek history. Six in 
Roman history. 

3. Between what nations were the Punic wars fought? 

4. When did the Roman Empire begin? Who was the 
first Roman emperor? 

5. For what was the "Augustan Age" specially famous? 

6. Who was Justinian, and for what was he specially 
famous? 

7. Who was Charles the Great? Who succeeded him? In 
what year? 

8. What were the Crusades? Give object and result of the 
Crusades? 

9. Who were (1) Frederick the Great; (2) Peter the 
Great; (3) Alfred the Great? Give dates of death of each 
one. 

10. Mention five of the battles in which Napoleon Bona- 
parte figured. 



in the United States Army. 85 

11. Who succeeded Napoleon Bonaparte as ruler of the 
French? 

12. What are the forms of the present governments of 
Europe? 

13. When was the mainland of North America discovered? 
Where? 

14. Where and when was the first English colony in Amer- 
ica settled? 

15. Mention six battles of the Revolutionary War. Give 
dates and generals commanding the opposing armies, 

16. What was the leading cause of the War of 1812? 

17. What was the Missouri Compromise? 

18. What American city was captured and burned in the 
War of 1812? 

19. What State first passed an ordinance of secession? 

20. How and when did the U. S. acquire Louisiana? 

21. Name the leading three battles of the Mexican War. 
Name the opposing commanders. 

22. What officers (naval and military) were chiefly con- 
cerned in the capture of Fort Fisher? 

23. When was battle of New Orleans fought? With whom 
was the United States at war at the time? 

24. What was Braddock's expedition? 

25. Name one great naval battle in each war in which the 
United States has been engaged. 

Constitutional Law. 

1. What officers of the Government constitute the Cabinet? 

2. Name the different executive departments of the Gov- 
ernment. 

3. With what general duties is the Secretary of War 
charged? 



86 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

4. What agents are employed to represent the United 
States in other countries? 

5. Mention some of the duties Avith vdiich consuls are 
charged. 

6. How may a foreign subject become a citizen of the 
United States? 

7. How many States comprise the present Union, and how 
may new States be admitted? 

8. By whom and for what purpose was the Constitution 
adopted? 

9. What is the supreme law of the land in the United 
States? 

10. How does a bill become a law? 

11. How can money be drawn from the Treasury? 

12. What civil and religious freedom is secured to the 
people? 

13. When can the United States protect a State against 
domestic violence? 

14. What constitutes treason against the United States? 

15. What were the principal defects of the Articles of Con- 
federation? 

Interna t i iM.a I L a w. 

1. Define international law. How are questions of inter- 
national law decided? 

2. What is a sovereign state? 

3. What is a treaty? 

4. Name the different modes of terminating disputes be- 
tween independent states. 

5. What is war? Name a just cause of war. 

6. Bv whom is war declared in the Ignited States? 



in the United States Army. 87 

7. Who are combatants? Non-combatants? Spies? Guer- 
rillas? Partizans? 

8. Name the principal rights and duties of neutrals. 

9. Define blockade. What is meant by constructive 
blockade? 

10. Define contraband of war; a truce; an armistice; pa- 
role; prisoner of war; military occupation; complete conquest. 



88 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 

APPENDIX D. 

COURSE OF STUDY AND BOOKS USED AT THE MIIvI- 
TARY ACADEMY. 

(Books marked thus * are for reference.) 
FIRST YEAR.— FOURTH CIvASS. 



DEPARTMENT. 



Mathematics. 



Modern 
Langnages 



COURSE OF STUDY, TEXT-BOOKS, AND BOOKS OF 
REFERENCE. 



C. Smith's Treatise on Algebra, 
Davies' lyCgendre's Geometry. 
ll,udlow's Elements of Trigonometry. 
C. Smith's Conic Sections. 

J. B. Johnston's Theory and Practice of Surv-ej'ing. 
*Ludlow's I,ogarithmic Tables. 



Williams' Composition and Rhetoric. 

Abbott's How to Write Clearly. 

Meiklejohn's English I,anguage. 
♦Smith's Synonyms Discriminated. 

*Roget's Thesaurus of English Words. *Webster's Diction- 
ary. 

De Peiffer's French Pronunciation. 

Keetels' Analytical and Practical French Grammar. 

CastarMe's Treatise on the Conjugation of French Verbs. 

Roemer's Cours de I^ecture et de Traduction, Vol. I. 

Bdcher's College Series of French Plays, Vol. II. 
♦Spiers' and Surenne's French Pronouncing Dictionary, 



Drill Regulations, 
U. S. Army. 



Use of the Sword, 
&c. 



Practical Instruction in the Schools of the Soldier. Com- 
pany and Battalion— Infantry. 

Theoretical Instruction in the School of the Soldier and 
Company. 

Practical and Theoretical Instruction in the School of the 
Cannoneer— Siege and lyight Artillery. 

Theoretical and Practical Instruction in the Service of 
Security and Information. 

Exercises in applied Tactics, and Practice Marches— In- 
fantry. 

Theoretical and Practical Instruction in Target Practice. 

U. S. Infantry and Ught Artillery Drill Regulations. 

Firing Regulations for Small Arms. 

Manual of Security and Information, by the Department 
of Tactics. 



Instruction in Fencing with Rapier and Broad Sword, and 
t ^fyonet Exercise, and Military Gymnastics. 



in the United States Army. 

SKCOND YEAR-THIRD CIvASvS. 



89 



DEPARTMENT. 


COURSE OF STUDY, TEXT-BOOKS, AND BOOKS OF 
REFERNCE. 


Mathematics. 


C. Smith's Conic Sections and Solid Geometry. 
Church's Descriptive Geometry, with its Application to 

Spherical Projections, Shades, Shadows and Perspect- 
ive. 
Bass' Differential Calculus. 

D. A. Murrays' Integral Calculus. 

Johnson's Text-Book on the Method of Least Squares. 


Modern 
I^anguages. 


Borel's Grammaire Fran^aise, 

Hennequin's Lessons in Idiomatic French. 

B6cher's College Series of French Plays, Vol. II. 

Roemer's Cours de Lecture et de Traduction, Vol, II. 

Revue Militaire de I'Etranger. 

The Figaro. 

Edgren's Compendious French Grammar. 
*De Peiffer's FrenchJPronunciation. 
*Spiers' and Surenne's French Pronouncing Dictionary. 

Monsanto and Languellier's Spanish Grammar. 

Knapp's Spanish Grammar. 

Mantilla's Spanish Reader, No. 3. 

Knapp's Spanish Reader. 

Eco de Madrid. 
*Seoane's Neumann and Baretti's Spanish Dictionary. 


Drawing. 


Constructive Problems in Plane Geometry. Point Paths. 
Topography and Plotting of Surveys with lead pencil, 
pen and ink, and colors; construction of the various 
problems in Descriptive Geometry, Shades and Shad- 
ows, Linear Perspective and Isometric Projections; 
Practical Surveying in the Field. 

Field Reconnoissance Contouring, and Sketching with 
and without instruments; Theory of color and laying 
of tints; History of Cartography and Topography; 
Triangulation and large Surveys. Lectures on the fore- 

*Reed's Topographical Drawing and Sketching, including 
Photography Applied to Surveying. 


Drill Regulations, 

U. S. Army. 


Practical Instruction in the Schools of the Soldier, Com- 
pany and Battalion— Infantry. 

Practical Instruction in the School of the Cannoneer— 
Ligth Artillery and School of the Trooper— Cavalry; 
and Equitation. 

Practical Instruction in Small Arms Target Practice. 

Practical Instruction in the Service of Security and In- 
formation. 

Exercises in applied Tactics and Practice Marches— In- 
fantry. 
*U. S, Army Drill Regulations. » 



90 A Manual for Aspirants for Commissions 



*Piring Regulations for Smalt Arms. 

*Manual of Security and Information by the Department 



Practical Military 
Engineering. 



of Tactics. 



Practical Instruction in the Construction of Ponton, Spar 
and Trestle Bridges and Suiveying. 



THIRD YEAR— SECOND CIvASS. 



DEPARTMENT. 



COURSE OF STUDY, TEXT-BOOKS, AND BOOKS OF 
REFERENCE. 



Natural 

and Experimental 

Philosophy. 



Michie's Analytical Mechanics. 
Michie and Harlow's Practical Astronomy. 
Young's General Astronomy. 

Michie's Elements of Wave Motion relating to Sound and 
Ivight. 



Chemistry, 

Mineralogy and 

Geology. 



Tillman's Descriptive General Chemistry (2d Edition). 
Tillman's Elementary IvCssons in Heat (2d Edition.) 
Tracy's Anatomy, Physiology and Hygiene. 
Thompson's Elementary I,essons in "Electricity and Mag- 
netism (New and Revised Edition). 
Tillman's Elementary Text-Book of Mineralogy. 
I<eConte's Elements of Geology (4th Edition). 



Drawing. 



Free Hand Drawing and I,andscape in black and white. 

Mechanical and Architectural Drawing in ink and colors; 
Military Landscape Sketching in the Field; Memory 
Drawing; Free-hand Mechanical Drawing without 
instruments; Building Construction, Working Draw- 
ings, and Isometric Sections; Engineering and Ord- 
nance Drawing; lycctures on all the foregoing subjects 
with stereopticon. 

■Reed's Topographical Drawing and Sketching, including 
Photography applied to Surveying. 



Drill Regulations, 
U. S. Army. 



Practical Instruction in the Schools of the Soldier, Com- 
pany and Battalion — Infantry. 

Theoretical Instruction in Drill Regulations— Infantry. 

Practical Instruction in the School of the Cannoneer— Sea 
Coast Artillery. 

Theoretical Instruction in Drill Regulations for lyight 
Artillery. 

Practical Instruction in the Schools of the Troop and 

Squadron— Cavalry and Equitation. 
*Dyer's Hand Book for I^ight Artillery. 



Practical Military 
Engineering. 



Practical Instruction in the Construction of Ponton Bridges; 

in laying Gun Platforms, and in the Coiistruction of 

Revetment? and Obstacles. 
Practical and Theoretical Instruction in Military Signaling. 



in the United States Army. 

FOURTH YEAR— FIRST CI^ASS. 



91 



DEPARTMENT. 



CGURSE OF STUDY, TEXT-BOOKS, AND BOOKS OF 
REFERENCE. 



Civil and Military 

Engineering 

and 

Science of War. 



Wheeler's Civil Engineering. 

Fiebeger's Field Fortifications. 

Mercur's Mahan's Permanent Fortifications (Edition of 

1887). 
Mercur's Attack of Fortified Places. 
Wagner's Organization and Tactics and the Service of 

Security and Information. 
Mahan's Stereotoiny. 



I<aw. 



Davis's Elements of I^aw. 

Davis's International I^aw (2d Edition). 

Davis's Military I^aw. 

Flanders' Manual of the Constitution. 



History and His- 
torical Geography. 



Drury's General History. 
*Iyabberton's New Historical Atlas. 



Practical Military 
Engineering. 



Demolition's. 

Practical Instruction in the Construction of Ponton, Trestle 

and Spar Bridges ; in the Preparation and Application 

of Siege Materials; and in I^aying Out Field and Siege 

Works. 
Practical Instruction in Military Reconnaissances on Foot 

and Mounted : in Field Telegraphy, Night Signaling, 

and the Use of the Heliograph. 
*Ernst's Manual of Practical Military Engineering. 



Natural 

and Experimental 

Philosophy. 



Practical Instruction in Astronomy. 



Drill Regulalions, 
U. S. Army. 



Practical Instruction i n the Schools of the Soldier, Com- 
pany and Battalion— Infantry ; of the Troop and Squad- 
ron—Equitation. 

Theoretical Instruction U. S. Cavalry Drill Regulations. 

Practical Instruction in the School of the Battery— I,ight, 
Horse, and Mountain Artillery. 

Practical Instruction in the Service of Security and In- 
formation; Exercises in Applied Tactics; Practical In- 
struction in Small Arms Target Practice; Practice 
Marches— Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery; I^ectures in 
Customs of Service and Military Etiquette; I^ectures 
on Hippology, on Age of Horse, Horseshoeing, Stable 
Management and Practical Work at Stables, etc. 

United States Army Cavalry Drill Regulations. 
♦Firing Regulations for Small Arms. 
-Manual of Security and Information, by the Department 

of Tactics. 
*Dyer's Hand Book for I<ight Artillery. 



Ordnance and 
Gunnery. 



Bruflf's Ordnance and Gunnery. 
Ingall's Ballistic Tables. 



Mar - 9,n IfeiOl 



MAR 5 1801 



